Bones of Lost old Man Were Found in Vazisubani

Lela Khechoshvili , Kakheti 

Bones of 79-year-old lost Anzor Garibashvili were found in Vazisubani village, Gurjaani municipality. Supposedly wild animal ate the old man. 

His body parts were found scattered in the territory of agricultural research laboratory in Gognaani village.

The man disappeared on July 17, 2014. Gurjaani regional department of MIA, Kakheti regional rescue service and local residents were unsuccessfully looking for him for three months.

On October 12, an employ of the laboratory, who was collecting mushrooms, accidentally found the passport of the lost person and informed family members. 

The family addressed to the regional department of MIA again. The skull with silver teeth denture was found during the search, which helped his son and neighbors to recognize the man. Backbone and limb-bones were found scattered in the nearby territory. Other parts of the body were nowhere seen. Tattered cloth was spread on the ground. 

Family members request transfer of the bones to bury the body according to traditions. They say the police sent bones to Tbilisi for further identification. Police did not inform the family that identification process would take one month. 

“He was lost for so long time and now we found him in such terrible condition. We have recognized him by teeth, what else is needed for identification?! We were told the result will be in a month – it will make our nerves strained. We need help to get the body timely. We want to bury his parts with honor. We are very confused,” daughter-in-law of the deceased man Maia Garibashvili told Human Rights Centre. 

Did the animal attack the old man or did he die before? According to Maia Garibashvili his father-in-law was very modest person and no one could kill him; she does not doubt that he became victim of wolves or jackals. He liked carving on the wood and supposedly he was collecting branches in the territory. The old man lived alone in another district close to the laboratory. 

Human Rights Centre tried to contact Gia Kratsashvili, head of MIA’s regional department but he refused to comment and forwarded journalist to the press-center of MIA. Representative of the Press-Center wrote to the Center that investigation is underway and cannot provide us with any information before the investigation is over. 

Village population is astonished. They say a lot of wolves or jackals arrive in the village, so people cannot sleep at night and cannot work alone in their agricultural plots during day time. 

“They move about vineyards; attack cow and sheep herds. They even enter yards were we keep cattle. As soon as winter comes wolves arrive in the village. People address to local government for help to create a group of hunters who will have right to kill wolves. 

Human Rights Centre addressed to the Gurjaani municipality governor Gia Gergidze. According to him expertise is not his prerogative and cannot interfere. Expertise is set of procedures and takes time. All procedures must be carried out properly. 

As for the wolves attacking the villages, it’s not problem of only Gurjaani municipality and central government is working to find solution to the problem.