The Parliament of Georgia did not vote for the formation of the investigation commission into Sakdrisi Mine Case

Natia Gogolashvili

On March 4, the initiative of the Free Democrats was failed in the parliament. The law makers did not support the initiative of forming the commission to study the issue of the Sakdrisi Mine. 55 supporters and 3 against – it was result of the yesterday’s ballot. The big part of the majority did not vote for the initiative. The initiative needed support of at least 76 MPs.

Secretary of the parliamentary fraction Georgian Dream –Industry Will Save Georgia Zurab Tkemaladze said the MPs will not decide whether Sakdrisi mine is culture heritage or not because even scientists could not reach agreement about it. So, Tkemeadze did not find formation of the commission as reasonable decision.

Chairman of the parliamentary fraction Georgian Dream Gia Volski said the establishment of the commission aims at provoking scandals. “We cannot support creation of the commission, which aims to create some scandals.”

MP from the United National Movement Nugzar Tsiklauri said the desire of Ivanishvili is more important for the parliamentary majority than cultural heritage. “Desire of Ivanishvili is more important for the parliamentary majority to continue gold obtaining in the Sakdrisi mine than to destroy the five-century heritage.”

MP Sergo Ratiani from UNM said they will again submit their own initiative to create the commission about Sakdrisi mine.

Ekaterine Sokhadze, member of the Committee for the Survival of Sakdrisi mine, said they will not stop struggle. The committee member Irakli Mamaladze speaks about protest rallies.

The Free Democrats addressed to the Parliament of Georgia with the imitative to establish the commission to study the issue of the Sakdrisi mine in December, 2014. On December 25, 58 MPs supported the idea at the session.