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Akhalgori District Governor Resigned

February 17, 2014
Mari Otarashvili, Akhalgori

Akhalgori district governor Zurab Gatenashvili resigned. Based on the decision of the Akhalgori municipal board, Nugzar Tinikashvili will implement duties of the district governor during three months. Tinikashvili told Human Rights Center that municipal board had offered the position to him. After three months, competition will be announced and applicants for the district governor’s position will be able to submit applications. Interim district governor Nugzar Tinikashvili said he will also participate in the competition.

Akhalgori district administration moved to Tserovani settlement after government of Georgia lost jurisdiction over the district as a result of 2008 August Armed Conflict. In fact, this institution cannot resolve any serious problems. In the first years of its existence after 2008 war, they were busy with issuing cottages and compensations to IDPs that caused serious discontent among people.

Their main function today is to give residence certificates to people who seek IDP status. However, local people say the district administration creates problems for them in this direction too and very often they refuse to give certification without any arguments.

“Population might be damaged because of certain people’s crimes. Real perpetrators will remain unpunished and people will get victimized finally. And shall I be district governor in similar situation?!” former district governor Zurab Gatenashvili explained reason of his resignation.

As for “crimes committed by other people,” Gatenashvili meant illicitly issued compensations or cottages by the Akhalgori district administration in 2008-2009. The Chief Prosecutor’s Office has been investigating this case for over the year. At the end of 2013, attorney of Boli community Robinzon Gvritishvili was arrested with regard to the case.

Zurab Gatenashvili. “I believe I have exhausted my possibilities in the district. I personally wrote resignation application and it was satisfied. I did what I could do and cannot take responsibility of other painful matters. I will not be able to correct others’ mistakes. At least, everybody perceives district governor as a leader in the district. So, I would have been target of their complaints. They complain about illegal issuing cottages and compensations to IDPs where I have no connection. However, when this case is investigated, people will be evicted from cottages. So, population will get damaged because of others’ mistakes.”

Zurab Gatenashvili was on the position less than one year. In April 2013, Akhalgori municipal board selected him among 100 applicants.

Before new governor is elected, Nugzar Tinikashvili will implement duties of the governor. Years ago, before August 2008, he was district governor. In January 2013, when former governor Zurab Pirtskhelauri resigned, people spoke in Akhalgori that Nugzari Tinikashvili would replace him but the latter said he did not have desire to occupy the position and did not even send application to the competition commission. 

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