On November 6, Gonio population held protest demonstration and requested close up of hostels in private houses and to expel the women from the hostels. The locals allege Turkish businessmen have leased the houses and brothels are functioning there.
“After 10:00 pm Uzbek, Armenian and Georgian semi-naked women go outside the houses. The brothels are working in the village near the school where children go every day. The owners of those houses and their protectors shall be punished for it. We have applied to the police for help but apparently they protect them,” a resident of Gonio complained.
Gonio residents have also petitioned to the Batumi City Hall and requested close up of the abovementioned hostels but the city council promised them to resolve the problem only about loud music.
The Human Rights Center tried to interview the owners of the hostels but they refused to make comments. Gonio district police does not answer our phone calls.
About 500 residents of Gonio have petitioned to the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia. They request him to close up brothels in the center of Gonio.
Maka Malakmadze, Adjara