Christian-Democrats Blame Government for Raiding Petty Street Traders

Giorgi Akhvlediani, MP from the Christian-Democrat Movement, demands the government to stop dispersal, terrorizing and disrespecting of the property of small-scale street traders.

The MP stated at the plenary session of the Georgian Parliament that the government continues its vicious relationships with street traders. Law enforcers physically assault them and then proceed to seize their meager property; however, nobody is ever punished for harassment and criminal behavior.

Akhvlediani added that governmental officials promised street traders that nobody will abuse them until December 31 of 2008. However, the promise was broken. The Tbilisi Municipality Board passed a resolution and street trading is now prohibited.

The MP reported that the street traders are forced to move to private markets which belong to certain high-ranking officials, and traders pay large fees and street traders are unable to afford such high prices for renting space. “The government is getting rid of petty traders,” said Giorgi Akhvlediani.

Majority members responded Akhvlediani’s statement. Eldar Kvernadze stated that the opposition only pretends to worry about street traders. Pavle Kublashvili explained that the legal protocol of the Tbilisi Municipality Board regulates when and how street trading can be allowed to operate. He added that everyone will have right to trade in the areas that are allocated under the law. However, if people trade in prohibited places, the law enforcement bodies will apply all measures necessary to prevent them from violating the law.

Source: Medianews