Deputy Candidate of United National Movement Accused of Bribing a Voter

Gela Mtivlishvili

Information Centre of Mtskheta-Mtianeti

Zurab Otiashvili, majoritarian deputy candidate for the United National Movement in Dusheti, gave 500 lari to a voter in Chargali on Vazhaoba (Festival for famous Georgian writer). According to Information Centre of Khaketi (ICK), Otiashvili said that with this money he helped a blind singer. A lawyer with Transparency International Georgia states that this amounts to bribing a voter and is punishable under the Georgian Criminal code.

On August 25, Vazhaoba was taking place in Chargali, organized by the Dusheti municipality. Zurab Ostiashvili, a majoritarian deputy candidate for the United National Movement (UNM) in Dusheti was also present at Vazhaoba. The fact that Otiashvili gave 500 lari to one of the participants was pointed out by his supporters in a message written on the Facebook wall of Information Centre of Mtskheta-Mtianeti:

“Nobody would cover Vazahoba because so many good things happened there. Like the fact that Zura Otiashvili gave a blind boy 500 lari. Who knows how many people he has helped before.  All this has to be seen. It is funny to write about the objectivity of  Information Centre of Mtskheta-Mtianeti,” writes the Facebook user zoia.

Another user, Lia Nogashvili, asks who can confirm that this happened. Zoia answers: “This fact will be confirmed by everyone who was there that evening. He gave money directly on stage. I'm sure it was neither the first nor the last time that Otiashvili helped poor and unprotected people”. 

Another user, Keto Kherkeladze, says:” MS. Lia everyone who was there that evening will confirm it. This kind of kindness is neither the first nor the last time from Otiashvili. As a governor he helped many poor people but those who don’t want to see this, they don’t see it”.

TV channel 9 and news agency Info 9 were also present at Vazhaoba, but the incident isn’t seen in any of their materials.

Zurab Otiashvili himself confirms that he gave 500 lari to one of the participants:

“He was poor and I helped him. If you had seen him you would have also helped him. Why don’t we understand each other? I know you will criticize me for this.

- Mr. Zurab, don’t you think that it amounted to bribing a voter?

- No, what voter bribery? I helped him from my own pocket. He was blind,” said Otiashvili.

Information Centre of Mtshketa-Mtianeti found out that the person who Otiashvili gave 500 lari to is 19-year old George Basialshvili. He lives in Dusheti and on Vazhaoba he had been invited to sing by the Dusheti Culture department.

- George, we have information that Zurab Otiashvili gave you money on Vazhaoba.

- Yes he helped me with money

- He gave it there?

- Yes

- How much

- 500 lari.

Irine Urushadze, a lawyer with Transparency International Georgia, has this to say: Zurab Otiashvili is a subject with political interests. When he gives money to someone, he does it for political reasons. He influenced several people with a public PR action. This is bribery of voters and punishable under the Criminal code.

Election specialist Nina Khatiskatsi says that if bribery of votes is confirmed, the United National Movement candidate may be excluded from registration.

“Article 47 of the Electoral Code defines bribing of voters more broadly than the Law on Political Unions of Citizens.  The Criminal Code for bribing voters envisages a fine or imprisonment up to three years  and Election code provides cancel of registration.  To react on a fact they have to ask Central Election Commission,” Nina Khatiskatsii told Information Centre of Mtskheta-Mtianeti .

At the same time, voter bribery is punishable under Article 164 of the Criminal Code.. Bribing voters, in particular, Giving, promising, transferring money, obligations or other property or service directly or indirectly to avoid restrictions of Georgian legal system via hypocritical arrangements or by other arrangements is punishable with imprisonment for three years or by fine.”