House of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Assistant’s Father-In-Law Burnt in Dedoplistskaro

Gela Mtivlishvili, Kakheti

On November 11, the house of former head of Kakheti regional police department Tamaz Tamazashvili was burnt in Leninovka village in Dedoplistskaro district. At the moment Tamazashvili is in prison. Police detained him after businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili announced his intention to join politics. Tamazashvili is father-in-law of Ivanishvili’s assistant and advisor Irakli Gharibashvili.

The fire broke out at about 12:00 pm. The neighbors said smoke was coming from the roof and half an hour later the house was already on fire.

“It was about 12 when we saw smoke coming from the roof. We started shouting for help. We called the fire-service but they arrived late; the brigade said the car went wrong on their way to the village and it hindered them for one hour,” said the neighbor Nina Smilenko.

Tamaz Tamazashvili’s aunt Lena Tamazashvili lived in the house together with her husband. “The neighbors called me and said smoke was coming from the roof. I did not know there was fire. They called the fire-service but the brigade arrived one hour later. Initially the car went wrong and then they did not have enough water. Five cars arrived but could not put out the fire. The house and everything in it burnt down. What shall I tell the boy when he arrives here?” Lena Tamazashvili complained.

The fire-brigade was trying to put out the fire before 5:00 pm. Late in the evening they had to call other brigades too because the water ran out. The firemen poured water from buckets. The second floor completely burnt down; only walls remained. The ground floor and basement got flooded and seriously damaged.

Head of Dedoplistkaro district fire-service Levan Gozalishvili said the brigade arrived at the place twenty minutes after they were called. “Although car went wrong on the way, it was not serious problem. The car was repaired in ten minutes and we arrived there in 20 minutes,” said Gozalishvili.

Leninovka village is at five-minute drive from Dedoplistskaro district.

Bidzina Ivanishvili’s lawyer Eka Beselia excluded the version of premeditated burning of the house. “We know the fire originated from the mantelpiece and the house burnt down. This incident has nothing to do with politics,” said Beselia.

Head of Dedoplistskaro district organization of the Free Georgia Tamila Gurashvili claims Tamaz Tamazashvili’s house was burnt on purpose.

“Neighbors told me they had seen several strangers in the village before the fire broke out. They called the fire-service but the brigade arrived one hour later though the village is located at five-minute drive from the office. I am sure the government tries to intimidate every person who supports or intends to support Ivanishvili with similar incidents,” said Gurashvili.

Dedoplistskaro district deputy governor Emzar Janashvili said Gurashvili’s statement is nonsense. “The fire-brigade did not arrive late. They received a call at 12:45 and the car arrived there at 13:15. Nobody has set the house on fire on purpose. The fire supposedly originated from the chimney,” said deputy governor.

A criminal case was launched on the fact and Dedopslistskaro district police is investigating it.