Tractors Were Seized from Peasants in Lanchkhuti

Local government took back the tractors they had given to the residents in the village of Shukhuti in Lanchkhuti District as a present. The reason supposedly was villagers’ support for Gachechiladze during the Presidential Elections.

Lasha Sarjveladze, a journalist for Lanchkhuti local newspaper, stated in his conversation with the Human Rights Center that the villagers received tractors before elections; in exchange of the present people were ordered to vote for the presidential candidate number five on January 5.

Results of the elections in the village showed that 350 residents of Shukhuti had voted for Saakashvili but other 500 had voted for Gachechiladze. Consequently, the tractors were taken back to Lanchkhuti. The reason for similar action was the decision made by the Ministry of Agriculture.

“The people got furious. Aleko Tsintsadze, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, said it was not within their competence to make similar decisions, the local government should decide to give tractors to particular villages or not. At the moment the tractors are standing in front of the district administrative building,” said Lasha Sarjveladze.

Saba Tsitsikashvili