“Martvili without National Movement” District Governor and Chairman of Municipal Board Blamed in Corruption

Inga Gvasalia, Samegrelo

Martvili district administration and municipal board has been paralyzed for more than one month. Participants of the demonstration do not allow employees of the self-governmental bodies into the office.

On November, 20 public movement – Martvili without National Movement started protest demonstrations with the request of resignation of the district governor and chairman of the municipal board. Participants said officers of the prosecutor’s office have already withdrawn documents from the district administration based on their request. Chairman of the municipal board Zaal Gorozia still refuses to resign. In respond to it, demonstrators are not going to stop their protest until their requests are satisfied; they stay in front of the district administration and do not allow anybody to enter the building.

Everything started on November 17 in Martvili when discontent residents of Mukhurcha and Vedidkari villages of Martvili district decided to meet district governor. They blamed the district administration in illicit sale of plots and pastures two years ago. On that ground, 12 people started hunger-strike in front of the district administration with the request of resignation of the chairman of municipal board and district governor. In response to it, Martvili district governor Mamuka Danelia evaluated the process as oppression on them and appealed to police to assist them to enter the district administration.

“We are employees of budget service ad we should plan the next year budget now; however, they do not allow us to work. Many issues shall be resolved. We cannot do anything without district governor. I do not think people resign from positions in this form in a civilized country. I do not think it is democracy. Although population hoped the new government would have changed their lives for better, I cannot see positive changes today. They do worse things. Maybe, people will evaluate ongoing situation,” said Ketevan Bachilava, head of Financial-Budget Service in astonishment.

One of the hunger-strikers had health problems during protest. Doctors suggested Davit Jamburia, sick with diabetes, to stop hunger-strike. Bezhan Chkheidze from Khoni joined hunger-strikers; he is a nephew of famous Georgian film-director Rezo Chkheidze. Personnel of Youth Palace and pupils of Martvili Public School # 1 also joined the demonstration. Supporters arrived from Zugdidi, Chkhorotsku, Tsalenjikha and Khoni. Hunger-strikers stopped their protest after the prosecutor’s office started study of documents withdrawn from self-governmental bodies.

Only sitting demonstration continues in front of the district administration. Many protesters blamed the district governor and chairman of the municipal board in illicit seizure and selling of their plots. “I came here with my problems. I applied to the local self-government for help several times but in vain. Entire population of Martvili district is discontent with Gorozia’s activities. We do not complain about other employees but Gorozia shall resign. I applied to him regarding the plot which was seized from me. I wanted to register it but at the Civil Registration Agency I was told it was already sold without notifying me about it. He never assisted us in anything. This district belonged only to Gorozias and nobody cared about people,” said Eter Medzvelia, resident of Nagvazao village.

Many residents of Martvili district have this problem. They claim people have fair demand and Gorozia and Danelia shall immediately resign. Population blames district leaders in corruption and clan management. Part of demonstrators said culmination of their astonishment was selling of their plots.

“Our movement is public. We declare full disobedience to local self-government. We will not stop protest until they write resignation letter. Their impudence has breached all limits,” said an activist Davit Tsirdava. 

“We do not complain about personnel. Our people obey law. You know and see on TV what is going on in the developed European countries during protest demonstrations. We will not do the same here because our people obey the law but injustice shall finish,” said another activist Irakli Jamburia and added that Gorozia individually made decisions and board sessions were not held in accordance to the law. “When you leave people without maize-bread and bread, seize pastures and plots, unreasonably waste or misappropriate local budget funds, it is enough motives for people to go out in the street and demand resignation of the governor and chairman of the municipal board.”

One of the strikers Davit Jamburia claimed the chairman of the municipal board has misappropriated hundreds hectares of land and people have already appealed to the prosecutor’s office regarding this issue. “District governor and chairman of the municipal board shall resign. They do not deserve to stay on their positions.”

Zaal Gorozia categorically denies allegation about illicit selling of plots. However, demonstrators do not intend to stop protest until their demands are satisfied.