Controversy Continues in Sagarejo

Mikheil Mamalashvili, Kakheti

Members of the Sagarejo office of the Coalition Georgian Dream blame majoritarian MP Tina Khidasheli in sabotage. They told Human Rights Center that Tina Khidasheli makes unilateral decisions and does not consider opinions of other people. GD members claim the MP has made ultimatum to them - unless Giorgi Loladze is elected to the position of Sagarejo district governor, she will block all investments and projects to be implemented in Sagarejo.

“Tina Khidasheli said during her meeting with local office members that she has blocked all projects and investments for Sagarejo district until Loladze is restored to the position; but if he faces any problems in future, the projects will be frozen,” Aleksandre Mezvrishvili from the Sagarejo office of the Georgian Dream said and added that Tina Khidasheli gives instructions to the board members and interferes in their activities.

Giorgi Loladze is a friend of Tina Khidasheli and occupied the position of Sagarejo district governor after 2012 parliamentary elections. Soon, he dismissed village attorneys and director of Sagarejo Asylum Ilia Kuchuashvili. On the same day, he appointed uncle of Khidasheli’s husband to the position. Public Defender sent recommendation to the Sagarejo district governor with regard to this fact. Ucha Nanuashvili indicated about the violation of legal norms when firing Ilia Kuchuashvili and requested lawful regulation of the decision.

On June 12, 2013 Prosecutor’s Office arrested Giorgi Loladze for the abuse of power. On October 24, the Prosecutor’s Office dropped criminal prosecution against him. Later, on November 5 chairman of the Municipal Board restored Loladze to the position. After that, members of the Georgian Dream’s office opposed MP Khidasheli; they claimed the MP had oppressed the board chairman Ilia Chiaureli.

Ilia Chiaureli denies the allegation about oppression and claims that neither he nor any of the board members were oppressed. It was his personal decision to restore Loladze to the position: “Some news agencies spread information that board members were oppressed. Neither I nor my deputy and commission chairmen were oppressed; I personally talked with them,” Ilia Chiaureli said.

MP Khidasheli said those people are annoyed for not having occupied positions in the district. “I cannot comment on their accusations; I am not going to respond to the slander of discontent and annoyed people. They had one goal – to occupy high positions.”

Members of the Sagarejo office of the Georgian Dream state if Tina Khidasheli continues oppression on them, they will go in the street in protest and start demonstrations.