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“Basishvili Clan” Against One Family

August 24, 2010
Saba Tsitsikashvili

Marina Bejashvili, diagnosed with second stage of oncologic disease, lives in the 111th cottage of Khurvaleti settlement. It has been 8 months now the electricity is turned off in her house. Energo-Pro Georgia representatives switched the electricity off as a compulsory measure since her family had a debt of more than 500 lari. According to Transparency International Georgia, these debts are payments for the electricity spent during the cottage constructions.

According to Marina Bejashvili, she is personally oppressed by the head of the bureau of majority deputy Badri Basihvili, Rezo Kakhniashvili. In our presence, in January 11, 2010, Rezo Kakhniashvili addressed Marina Bejashvili: “Because you cry so much, these things happen to you. Do you think I’ll be scared just because a journalist is here?” told Rezo Kakhniashvili Marina Bejashvili at the moment when the certain number of Khurvaleti settlement blocked the highway of Gori-Tbilisi. One of the active members and organizers of this protest rally was exactly Marina Bejashvili, her spouse and the neighbors.

Despite the protest rallies, the population of Khurtvaleti settlement covered the electricity fee stage by stage. However, the family of Marina Bejashvili and several others did not even have a chance to pay stage by stage. In order to receive this money, Energo-Pro Georgia appealed against the family of Bejashvili in the Court. The court process was scheduled for January 6th, 2010. The non-governmental organization “Healthy Future” coordinator Arina Tavaqarashvili attended the process. According to her, it is cynicism to call such needy people to Court on a religious day like that. “More, the energy company was asking for the confiscation of items instead of money, also for the payment of court expenses for missing the Court hearing several times. Fortunately, the judge happened to be kind enough not to obligate Marina Bejashvili with the payment of court expenses, though the electricity fee was imposed on her with a different method,” – says Arina Tavaqarashvili.

Marina Bejashvili tells us that every month the state covers the electricity payment for 100 kilowatt that is 13 lari for a person, and 26 lari for two people. As we noted, the family of Bejashvilis owes approximately 500 lari to the energy company. In addition, the state is putting 26 lari on their account. For completely covering the debt, more than a year is needed and meanwhile the family will remain without electricity.

Marina Bejashvili is not helped by the village elders – Gia Oqropiridze and Levan Otinashvili either. Gia Oqropiridze is considered a representative of Eredvi community governor – Gia Makhniashvili, and Levan Otinashvili – a representative of Qurti community governor. This is so because the settlement is inhabited both by people from Big Liakhvi and Small Liakhvi valley. Most of Marina Bejashvili’s pretensions are addressed to Didi Liakhvi governor representative, since she is from the village Vanati herself.

“When Burjanadze came to see me, that’s when they remembered about me. They called me and told that some medication is received for people with oncologic diseases. I went there and there was some 20-lari medication. I called my doctor and asked about this medication. The doctor said not to touch anything provided by them and to follow her prescription. The village elders heard this telephone conversation. I am very interested how the village elder opened up a store. Are they receiving salary just to throw eggs and tomatoes at people?” – says Marina Bejashvili.

On that day, Nino Burjanadze was going to see Marina Bejashviil. Right in front of the village elder’s house, Burjanadze’s cars were stopped by the representative of governor and his family members. Only 100 meters were left until the house of Bejashvili. Despite the egg and tomato attack, Burjanadze was not leaving the settlement. Finally, the situation intensified so bad that several people started throwing stones. According to Nino Burjanadze’s statement, only after that they decided to leave the territory to avoid further intensification of situation and the possible fight. Marina Bejashvili observed this incident and spent next days in stress.

“That night and next days I spent in stress. This person came to see people and me in the similar situation, so how would you feel when they are doing something like that to her? What can you do with people who spent the whole day drinking and prepared for Burjanadze’s visit like that,” – says Marina Bejashvili.

We left the settlement with the hope that the representatives of the Ministry of Health will not consider political motives for caring for people’s health. The oncologic patient of the second stage, Marina Bejashvili is fighting by her own means. Her son is a prisoner. As she said, he was arrested when they were living as IDPs in Tbilisi. Her son and several other people were charged of stealing scrap-iron.

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