Human Rights Violation Facts Related Pre-Election Political Process - II

From December 16, 2011 to June, 2012

December of 2011 – Information Center of Kakheti reported that Tamar Sukhiashvili, history teacher fired from the Public School in Kakabeti village Sagarejo district, said she was sacked on political grounds. “Several days ago, school director Paata Chkheidze asked me to write petition on dismissal from school but I refused. He said he had already prepared a decree on my dismissal from school. At 9:00 pm on December 23, 2011 the school manager Luiza Shengelidze visited me at home based on the director’s initiative. She told me unless I stopped cooperation with Bidzina Ivanishvili, I would have had to quit the job.
Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14358&lang=eng

2012

January, 2012 - Beka Tsetskhladze, 17, was interrogated at the Dedoplistskaro district prosecutor’s office. Police accuses him of illegal carriage of side-arms. The mother of the juvenile, Dali Tsetskhladze alleges her family started facing problems since they met Kakha Kukava, oppositionist leader, in Samtatskaro village. Kakha Kukava, leader of the opposition political party “Free Georgia” visited the border village, mostly inhabited by Ingilo people and eco-migrants from Adjara, in September 2011. He met the peasants, discontent with the ongoing vintage. The Information Center of Kakheti found out that after Kukava’s visit, the district Social Service Agency stopped social allowances for several families in Samtatskaro, whom the opposition leader met. Among those families was a large family of Guram and Dali Tsetskhladzes. “Before they seized our social allowance, the village governor Paata Nadirashvili met me in the street and inquired what we asked Kukava for? I told him Tamila is a god-sister of my children and she brought the leader of her party to my house. And the governor replied to me: “then, let Kukava assist you now.” Three weeks later they stopped our allowance; a social agent evaluated our family repeatedly and granted high points,” Dali Tsetskhladze said. Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14347&lang=eng

In the village Kakabeti of Sagarejo municipality history teacher Tamar Sukhiashvili was dismissed. Sukhiashvili’s dismissal is related to the request of restoration of citizenship of Georgia for Bidzina Ivanishvili. Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14324&lang=eng

Lawyer, Zakaria Kutsnashvili, blames the director of the Tbilisi First Experimental School for sacking his mother, Taliko Lagazauri, on political grounds. Zakaria Kutsnashvili said Taliko Lagazauri, who had worked as a teacher for 22 years, was fired only because she is his mother. Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14330&lang=eng

Police beat about ten people at the concert held in the center of Sachkhere due to the exclamation “Long Life to Bidzina!”The incident took place at night on January 13th during the concert. Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14342&lang=eng

On January 31 Kakheti regional prosecutor’s office arrested journalist Sopho Nikolashvili under the charge of attempted premeditated murder. Journalist’s father, Dato Nikolashvili is an activist of public movement “Georgian Dream”.

Prosecutor’s office accuses her of the attempted murder of police officer Giorgi Sibashvili. Giorgi Sibashvili, 23, is an officer at the Kakheti main department of the MIA. His father, Gocha Sibashvili is deputy chief police officer of Gurjaani district. His uncle – Giorgi Sibashvili, is Kakheti region deputy governor. The law enforcement officers informed the family only this morning, on February 1. The family members told the ICK that they were looking for the girl in hospitals and among relatives all night long. The case received a status of Top Secret. Full story:  http://humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14394&lang=eng

February: The Tbilisi City Court sentenced Zaza Kobakhidze, childhood friend of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s nephew to four year imprisonment. Kobakhidze was judged under Article 236 Part I and II of the Criminal Code of Georgia – illegal carriage of gun. Lawyer Lado Macharashvili said the verdict was unfair and they will appeal it at the Appeal Court. The accused was allowed to make a speech at the trial “When I left home, police officers twisted my hands and pushed me down to the ground. My wife and child saw it happen and rushed towards me. So, the police officers rapidly pushed me into the car. Their allegation as if search lasted 35 minutes is not right. I did not resist police officers. It is too difficult to bear similar situation because I have served Georgia all my life; I fought in the August war too. On the day of my detention I was going to the St. Trinity Cathedral to attend blessing of my family name. A Christian never goes to churches with guns. It insults me. I am true and it is difficult for a true man to serve unfair punishment,” Kobakhidze said.
Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14432&lang=eng

February: Bidzina Ivanishvili’s public movement Georgian Dream no longer has an office in Dedoplistskaro region. The owner of the office cancelled the agreement with Georgian Dream in a day after the signing. “In the building near the local government which belongs to Soso Uzunashvili Republican Party has rented two rooms. Other rooms are also available there. When Georgian Dream decided to rent an office building, representatives from Tbilisi arrived and talked to the owner of the building and rented three rooms. They signed the contract as well. On the second day, the owner of the building came. He was very concerned. He was crying. He said that he had to cancel the agreement on these three rooms,” – the head of Dedoplistskaro regional organization of Republican Party Nodar Toklikishvili stated to Kakheti Information Center.
Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14465&lang=eng

March: Watchman of the Poti Public School # 7 Zuri Tavartkiladze said he was sacked for the reading of the Georgian Dream’s newspaper. “I was punished for reading a newspaper,” Zuri Tavartkiladze stated. The former watchman recalled the fact: “In the morning, on my way to the school, I found the newspaper stuck in the door. I decided to take the newspaper to school and read it there. I do not know how the school administration learned about it, or who saw me. Short time later, the chief school resource officer came and demanded me to write explanation letter; they compelled me to write that I was propagandizing the newspaper in the school. I was told they called the General Inspection of the Education Ministry to inform about it. The Ministry instructed the director to fire me. I have no complaints about the director. He had to obey the order.”
Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14543&lang=eng

On March 9, Zviad Kviralashvili, HQ member of the political coalition “Georgian Dream” in Gurjaani was sacked from job. He was deputy director of the Ltd “Ketilmotskoba” which was founded by the municipal board. His labor contract was due to expire on May 1, 2012.
Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14581&lang=eng

On March 11, political coalition Georgian Dream accused the government of intimidation of their supporters at the press-conference. A leader of the Republican Party Tina Khidasheli said at the press conference that their activists were harassed yesterday throughout day and night. “On March 11, strangers, who introduced themselves as representatives of Chamber of Control, were meeting our activists in the regions of Georgia and summoned them to the questioning. The society must know that those people are civil activists without any financial ties with the Georgian Dream. Their cooperation with the Georgian Dream is only distribution of the Coalition’s newspapers and gathering signatures of Ivanishvili’s supporters.”  Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14585&lang=eng

On March 11, two-hectare apple-garden of Zakaria Kinkladze, member of the Republic Party National Committee and half-hectare nut-plantation of his brother were burnt in Akhmeta. Mini-farm of rabbits, plants and the building were completely burnt in the area. They doubt the fire was part of political revenge. Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14595&lang=eng

On March 12, secretary general of the Georgian Party Irakli Dolaberidze was not allowed to leave the country for the second time, when he was going to fly to Paris to meet Irakli Orkuashvili, chairman of the party. The patrol police sent him back from the Tbilisi International Airport without explanations.
Irakli Dolaberidze cannot leave Georgia since January 6, 2012. Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14593&lang=eng

On March 12, The state audit agency in charge of monitoring political finances has fined Cartu Bank, owned by billionaire opposition politician Bidzina Ivanishvili, with GEL 822,040 (about USD 497,000) for allegedly trying to channel corporate funding to Ivanishvili’s public movement Georgian Dream. It was second fact of imposing financial sanctions on the political coalition in 2012 that finally amounted to the payment of 1 422 040 GEL to the state budget. Late in February, people associated with Ivanishvili were fined with tenfold of their donations.

On March 12, citizens were questioned with the initiative of the Chamber of Control in several regions of Georgia. On the previous days, people received summons, whose text is equal to the summon of the prosecutor’s office and it reads: “Georgian state audit agency, which is in charge of monitoring political parties’ funding, is carrying out administrative investigation on hypocritical funding of political entities and you are summoned to give receipts concerning the issue. Additionally, based on Article 252 of the Administrative Code of Georgia you have right to study case materials, give receipt, provide evidence, raise solicitations, and enjoy your right to defense. You can also enjoy the service of interpreter and appeal against the judgment. Unaccomplished responsibility of providing the Chamber of Control with the requested information is punished by the Georgian law. You must arrive at Tsereteli Str.2, 1st floor at 12:00 pm on March 12, 2012.”

The citizens, who were summoned to the district administrations by the Chamber of Control, leave the office without comments. They said they were instructed by the Chamber of Control not to comment on the issue. Apparently, we are dealing with mechanism of total control which, except the fear factor, psychologically oppresses people and compels them to decline all political activities before the elections. Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14589&lang=eng

Representatives of the Chamber of Control interrogated Asmat Atuashvili from the National Forum in the office of Sagarejo district administration on March 12. Her interrogation lasted 45 minutes.

“Before interrogation the police searched me. They started searching me from corridor; they seized my bag and cell phone; I even took my coat off. They even searched me inside the cloths. The girl searched me everywhere; she even checked the metals in my bra. The apparatus made signal when I went through and asked what I had there. I told her it was metal of the bra, nothing more. They threatened me with leaving my child without mom unless I stop my activities,” Asmat Atuashvili recalled.
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14613&lang=eng

Employees of the Chamber of Control interrogated 13 supporters of the Georgian Dream without attorneys in Sagarejo. Head of Sagarejo district office of the Republic Party Gela Kevlishvili told the Information Center of Kakheti about it. Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14596&lang=eng

Zugdidi organization of Republican Party states its officials were abused by the representatives of Chamber of Control of Georgia. As the head of the party Nona Toloraia stated at the briefing held on March 13th, the people asked to come to the meeting were given different kinds of instructions. Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14602&lang=eng

Workers who will have to conduct renovation works in Akhmeta office of Coalition and due to this reason were staying in the family hotel in the region were kicked out of the hotel.
Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14619&lang=eng

U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, John Bass, says he is “concerned about the controversy surrounding the Chamber of Control's recent activities,” referring to the state audit agency, which is also in charge of monitoring political finances. “The lack of clear guidelines regarding its work to implement campaign finance legislation will not increase public confidence in this institution or in a competitive campaign environment,” Ambassador Bass said in a comment posted on his Facebook account.
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14625&lang=eng

On March 13, MIA investigator Kakha Sajaia was interrogating 6 people in the Lanchkuti municipal board during several hours as representative of the Chamber of Control. On March 11, several citizens received equal summons from the Chamber of Control stating: “Georgian state audit agency, which is in charge of monitoring political parties’ funding, is carrying out administrative investigation on hypocritical funding of political entities and you are summoned to give receipts concerning the issue.”

Lili Ebralidze, member of Lanchkhuti district office of the Republic Party, received summon in the morning of March 12.Mostly, they were asking me about Ivanishvili’s citizenship and funding… he was asking how much I was paid for having collected signatures and distributed newspapers of the Georgian Dream. I told him nobody had paid money to me for it and I was not working for the Party for money; I was member of the party, and believed that they can change our life for better; and that I would continue my activities without salary. Then he told me, he had already arrested two persons and I could share their fate too. I told him if he arrests me, I will have a status of political prisoner and what would they do next? Would they arrest entire Georgia? He asked me back: are you already entire Georgia? And I replied: Yes, we are except National Movement members and you.
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14591&lang=eng

Financial Monitoring Service of political parties of Chamber of Control was supposed to interrogate supporters of Georgian Dream in Gurjaani on March 13th. The interrogation has not taken place yet. Supporters of Georgian Dream requested to see the case materials before the interrogation. On March 13th, head of the Chamber Control of Georgia Levan Bezhashvili made comment regarding the interrogation of Georgian Dream activists in the regions: “We are collecting information. Then we will compare it to the declarations presented by the political parties in Chamber of Control to ensure transparency of their work,” – Bezhashvili noted.
Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14601&lang=eng

More than 20 people received summons of the Chamber of Control in Poti. Among them are members of the Republic Party and activists, who distributed Georgian Dream’s newspapers. On March 13, the members of the Republic Party’s Poti office held briefing regarding the issue.
Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14600&lang=eng

On March 15 Tsisana Joiashvili, mother of Zurab Gamezardashvili – Georgian Dream’s Lagodekhi district office member, was sacked from the Public School of Apeni village. Tsisana Joiashvili was teaching Georgian Language and Literature at school and her labor contract was due to September 15, 2012.
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14753&lang=eng

The head of Gurjaani office of Georgian Dream Akaki Begashvili states that official of Kakheti Agency of Constitutional Security Department Shalva Imerlishvili came to his home on March 16th and asked him to leave Georgian Dream.
Full story:  http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14642&lang=eng

Officials of Chamber of Control interrogated Veniko Ivanishvili living in the building of Telavi municipality local government. Veniko Ivanishvili has no connections with Georgian Dream. As Veniko Ivanishvili’s wife Tsitsino Ivanishvili stated to Kakheti Information Center, they received summon order on March 15th. “My husband is not supporter of any political party. He has not participated in any party activities. When the signatures were being collected with the request of restoration Bidzina Ivanishvili’s citizenship, we also signed it,” – Tsitsino Ivanishvili noted.

http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14641&lang=eng

According to supporters of Georgian Dream, Chamber of Control inquired about their family situation and income of family members during the interrogation. Full story:
 http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14640&lang=eng

On March 20 Bidzina Ivanishvili has been fined by the state audit agency, Chamber of Control, with GEL 2.72 million for making “illegal” political donations. Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14650&lang=eng

On April 1, Deputy head of Akhmeta district police station Malkhaz Khubejasvhili, with the nickname “Mouravi”  threatened Gocha and Baadur Basilashvilis from Alaverdi village with detention because they attended the opening ceremony of Georgian Dream’s office in Akhmeta. Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14756&lang=eng

Activist of the political coalition Georgian Dream Zura Tergiashvili, who worked as an ambulance driver at the Gurjaani district medical emergency center, was sacked from job.

On March 9, Zviad Kviralashvili, member of the Gurjaani district office of the political coalition Georgian Dream was also fired. He was deputy director of the Ketilmostskoba Ltd, founded by the municipal board, and his contract was due to May 1, 2012.
Full story:  http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14784&lang=eng

On April 2 Member of Free Democrats in Sergo Chachibaia was detained in Zugdidi. As the party’s general secretary Irakli Chikovani stated to interpressnews, Chachibaia was detained several hours ago at a parking lot. According to Chikovani, a stranger walked up to him unexpectedly and verbally assaulted him. Chachibaia states he did not react. However, policemen came right away and detained him.
Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14692&lang=eng

Mamuka Baliashvili, chair of the Youth Branch of the political party Salome Zurabishvili-Georgia’s Way reported that activists of the Georgian Dream were beaten in Kutaisi. “Activists of the Georgian Dream were distributing newspapers at the White Bridge in Kutaisi, when suddenly about 15 employees of the district administration attacked them.”
Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14716&lang=eng

The Information Center of Kakheti (ICK) has been conducting polls on the restitution of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s citizenship in Akhmeta district. Now, reports are saying that officers from the Kakheti regional department of the Constitutional Security Department intimidate people who participated ICK’s polls. The Information Center of Kakheti conducted polls in Akhmeta on April 5 and asked local people about their opinion regarding the recent refusal by the Civil Registration Agency to restore Bidzina Ivanishvili’s citizenship. Video materials from the polling were uploaded on ICK’s website on the same day at 5:38 pm. Most of the interviewees thought the decision to be unfair. Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14744&lang=eng

On April 18,  Akaki Natroshvili, manager of Dedoplistskaro district office of the political coalition Georgian Dream” was fired from job. He was coach at the culture and sport center of the Dedoplistskaro district municipal board and trained children in Zemo Machkhaani village in football. http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14816&lang=eng

On April 18, Tamar Tamazashvili, sister of Irakli Garibashvili’s father-in-law – one of the founders of the political party Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia, was sacked. Tamar Tamazashvili was teacher and deputy director at the Dedoplistskaro district Art School. Tamar Tamazashvili told the ICK that she was fired from school on political grounds.
Full story:  http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14799&lang=eng

On April 19, Strangers in plain clothes kidnapped Lasha Gogoreliani, brother of Levan Gogoreliani, former actor of the Rustavi 2’s entertainment programs, who has lately joined Bera Ivanishvili’s studio “Georgian Dreams Studio”, from the fifth quarter of Vazha Pshavela Avenue, Tbilisi. Actors of the TV-Company Rustavi 2’s entertainment programs Temo Mzhavia, Amiko Chokharadze and Levan Gogoreliani [Pacho] moved to Georgian Dream’s Studio about two weeks ago. Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14783&lang=eng

On April 20, The court released Lasha Gogoreliani, representative of Bera Ivanishvili’s musical studio, Tengiz Abdaladze and Revaz Kitiashvili under bail of 500 GEL. The judge decided to pass verdict on the young people several hours after the detention.
Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14790&lang=eng

On April 24, teachers, nurses of kindergartens from about 20 villages in Gurjaani district, pupils of the Gurjaani public schools, employees of the territorial entities and budget funded institutions were brought to meet the President in Gurjaani. Schooling process stopped in all four public schools of Gurjaani. Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14810&lang=eng
Photo-reprotage: http://ick.ge/ka/photogalleries/10645--photo-video.html

Tamaz Gvelukashvili, a member of Rustavi City Council from United National Movement, has sent sheep and wine to several city districts for Easter, which from the legal point of view can be considered as bribing of voters. This fact was confirmed by some local residents interviewed by TI Georgia.
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14854&lang=eng

Patrol police officers working at the Lagodekhi Custom Office received special instruction to immediately notify the senior officers as soon as Davit Usupashvili, Viktor Dolidze and Shalva Natelashvili cross border.
Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14866&lang=eng

On April 30 Tbilisi City Court imposed 3 year and 6 month imprisonment on Tamaz Tamazashvili, father-in-law of Irakli Garibashvili, member of the Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia’s initiative group. Member of the initiative group of the Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia Irakli Garibashvili said Tamaz Tamazashvili intends to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights after they appeal all national courts. Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14840&lang=eng

About seven weeks after the state audit agency, Chamber of Control, summoned and questioned large number of activists and supporters of Bidzina Ivanishvili-led opposition coalition, the Georgian Public Defender said on May 1 that the process was carried out with violations of rights of questioned persons. Full story: http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=24715&search=

On May 2, police dispersed demonstration of the Georgian Dream by water-cannon in Kutaisi. “We passed by the Kutaisi City Hall building where two fire-trucks were parked. Having seen us they drove in our direction and opened water cannon on us,” Nato Katamadze from the Coalition said. “Not only fire-engines but City Hall officials also followed us. Among them were Tutberidze- head of Kutaisi City Service, Tsaava- head of the department, Kakha Khvareshia – former employee of the auto-factory and currently employee of the City Hall; Khvareshia was particularly active. We could not recognize other people in the darkness but we video-recorded them.” Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14849&lang=eng

Irma Petriashvili from Akhmeta, who has three children and rents one-room flat, said the Social Agency stopped her social aid after she had joined the Coalition Georgian Dream. 
Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14911&lang=eng

Chairman of the Akhmeta Municipal Board Aleksi Mailashvili threatened the supporters of the Georgian Dream in Kistauri village. Head of the Georgian Dream’s Akhmeta district office informed the ICK about it. Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14890&lang=eng

On May 11, security officer of the Dusheti district administration did not allow journalist Bela Zakaidze and cameraman Zurab Pataridze of the Studio GNS to video-record the administration building. He insulted Pataridze in the yard and tried to damage the camera threatening: “I will break your hands, dig out your eyes” and cursed him. Criminal case was launched on the incident on June 6 after nongovernmental organizations requested the inter-institutional commission of the Security Council of Georgia to respond to the fact.

The eight-member family of Mevlud Shushanashvili from Tianeti district, who supports the political coalition Georgian Dream, was deprived of social benefit. Shushanashvili told the Information Center of Mtskheta-Mtianeti that on May 15 he attended the public meeting with the Georgian Dream’s leaders. Several minutes after the meeting, social agents visited him at home and cancelled his social benefit. Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14909&lang=eng

On May 20, deputy head of the Tianeti police department Mamuka Shalamaberidze dragged head of Information Center of Kakheti Gela Mtivlishvili into the police office, physically and verbally assaulted him. Mtivlishvili was taking photos of the building. Shalamberidze seized camera from him, erased video and photo footage from it. Police officers called medical emergency brigade after Gela Mtivlishvili had requested them doctor’s assistance several times and as soon as ambulance arrived, they pushed Gela Mtivlishvili out of the office. Afterwards, journalist spent several hours in Tianeti hospital; he had bruises on the head and brain concussion that is confirmed by the medical notification (form 100). 30-40 minutes after the incident, head of Analytic Department of the MIA Shota Utiashvili stated that Mtivlishvili had broken into the police office and did not want to leave it.

GYLA and ISFED respond to the reports of violence against the head of the Khobi District Office of the political coalition Georgian Dream, Mamuka Kardava and demand an objective, thorough and timely probe into the alleged fact. According to media reports, Mamuka Kardava was assaulted by four unidentified individuals near a railroad crossing in the village of Nojikhevi, Khobi District on May 20, at around 00:45, when he was driving back home. Mamuka Kardava alleges that one of the assailants managed to get into his stopped car and tried to strangle him. Mamuka Kardava tried to back up but the assailant interfered with the steering wheel and the vehicle crashed into a metal post. He also states that the three assailants forced him out of the crashed car and beat him with a truncheon. The very same night Mamuka Kardava checked in the Khobi District Hospital with multiple injuries.
Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14912&lang=eng

Parliament’s vice-speaker Gigi Tsereteli is sure that if the public servant personally participates in the assemblies of opposition political parties, she/he must be sacked. “It is the same situation if you participate in the demonstration organized against your employer. If the employees of governmental institutions attend the demonstrations of opposition political parties, it is natural that they will be fired. Public official shall not participate in the opposition’s demonstrations!” Tsereteli said and claimed that it is common in every state.
Full story: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14939&lang=eng

American John Wurdeman from Signagi, owner of the Pheasant’s Tears Company, was compelled to refuse the TV-Company Ninth Channel to rent his space. Wurdeman’s brother-in-law Shalva Mindorashvili told the ICK that after they had filed the documents to the Civil Registry to register the rent-agreement, Wunderman was called on the phone and warned to refuse the Ninth Channel to rent his space. Ninth Channel cannot rent an office in Gurjaani either. They started negotiations with several property-owners but before the contracts were signed, the owners refused to rent space to the TV-Company. Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14938&lang=eng

A leader of the parliamentary majority Nugzar Tsiklauri asked the US Ambassador to Georgia to make more clear and documented clarifications. Tsiklauri said when commenting on John Bass’ video-appeal that any information about politically motivated oppression is inadmissible unless it is grounded by facts; if they are proved, it should become topic of discussion. Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14933&lang=eng
John Bass video-statement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxReBWAPBI0

Neli Terterashvili, director of the Matani Public School # 1 in Akhmeta district, held special meeting and warned teachers against installing antennas of Global TV; otherwise she threatened them with firing from school. Teacher of the school reported about it. The school director and her deputy categorically deny the accusations of the teacher. Full story:
http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14953&lang=eng

On May 25, journalist of the newspaper Guria News Tamar Lepsveridze and her representative, head of Legal Aid Center for Media Natia Kapanadze were not allowed to take personal items, including Dictaphone and notebook into the Chamber of Control where they intended to attend public hearing. They were thoroughly searched and categorically demanded to leave all their properties with the security guards.

Although journalists had right to audio-record the public hearing, head of regulation department Jimsher Doborjginidze and head of press-center of the Chamber of Control Pati Mamiashvili categorically refused them to audio-record the process. Afterwards, Doborjginidze tried to seize Dictaphone from journalist. Although there is audio-recording of this incident, the Chamber of Control does not admit the fact.

On May 26, representatives of the Defense Ministry of Georgia did not allow reporter of Voice of America to cover rehearsal of the military parade dedicated to the Independence Day of Georgia in Kutaisi. After the parade, security guard of the President of Georgia did not allow the reporter of the newspaper Netgazeti to video-record Mikheil Saakashvili’s meeting with local population .

Georgian Dream’s member Givi Otarashvili was beaten in Telavi. He told ICK that about 10:00 pm on May 30 two strangers attacked and hit him in the head near his relative’s house in Vanta village; as a result he lost conscious. Full story:

http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=14949&lang=eng

On June 6, Company Tbilisi Mikroavtobusi switched off voice signals of radio-stations in mini-buses. The drivers, who were asked to park their mini-buses unlocked at night, found radio-sets removed from the cars. Tbilisi Mikropavtobusi spread statement that companies, who transport passengers by yellow mini-buses in the capital, have signed contracts with independent legal entities on advertisement service. According to the contract, advertising company is authorized to place outside ads on mini-buses and to install advertising monitors inside the vehicle where voice ads will be shown. It is noteworthy that drivers and passengers of mini-buses mostly listened to the radio stations Palitra, Maestro, Radio-Freedom and Utsnobi.

See on the same topic:Analyze of Media Problems and Human Rights Violation Facts Related with Political Processes during Pre-Election Period

Photo of www.control.ge: former head of Chamber of Control [currently State Audit Office] Levan Bezhashvili and head of Financial Monitoring Service of the SAO Natia Mogeladze

Human Rights Center

Georgian Media Club worked on the collection of facts about oppression on media