Water Supply Is Cut Off for IDPs

Last week, the deconstruction of the hotel “Kutaisi” started in Kutaisi. Although all window and door frames are removed in the hotel, nine families still live there. IDPs say that they have nowhere to go. They cannot purchase even a cellar in Kutaisi with 4 500 USD, that was offered by the investor.

In 2005 Hotel “Kutaisi” was sold for a low price of 355 000 USD via competition. “Interinvest Ltd” became the owner of the hotel. The contract, drawn up between the Ministry of Economics and investor, states that the owner of the property must provide the IDPs residing in the hotel with alternative accommodations or pay compensation to them if owner decides the reconstruction of the hotel.

Nobody kept the promise. Several families have already left the building. Only old people remained in the hotel. They state that they have nowhere to go. They applied to the Human Rights Center's Kutaisi office for help.

“Initially they cut off water supply because they could not get rid of us without that. The water has not been supplied to the hotel since August 4. Even fascists did not treat people like that. As for these people they use all extreme methods of torture and do not mercy us at all,” said Lamara Mikiashvili, a resident of the hotel.

Lamara Mikiashvili is going to leave the hotel with her family today and as she has stated they are not going to accept the compensation. IDPs said that “willful eviction” of the Mikiashvilis will be accompanied by protest demonstration.

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi