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Chief of the Gori Police Department Is Accused of Breaking an Agreement

January 4, 2007

garemovajre.gifDavit Tabutsadze, chief of the Shida Kartli Police Department, breached a settlement with Vasil Makharashvili, Gori District Gamgebeli. Although the Gamgebeli allowed traders to trade in the street until January 2, 2007, the chief of the patrol police began dispersing them on December 25.

Tabutsadze has been fighting with the Gori Market traders since he was appointed to his position. It has become a common occurrence to witness fights between the police and traders. Rumor has it that construction is planned for the location where traders are trading at present.  A Chinese firm will mostly likely develop the property.

Gori inhabitant, Tamar Shevardenidze, complains about pain in her neck. She has not forgotten how police dispersed traders some time ago.  A victim of the police actions, Shevardenidze was then refused treatment at the Gori hospital. Several days later, pain in her neck worsened. Family members took Shevardenidze to the hospital again. An examination showed that the woman’s veins were bruised.

A dispute between traders and the police is still going on. One of the traders, Leila Samkharadze, said to the Human Rights Center that Tabutsadze is breaking the law.  “If trading is banned in public squares, then make the chief of police read the 1998 declaration of Parliament that states that public squares may not be developed. If Tabutsadze is opposed to our stalls, why doesn’t he also evict the pharmacists, innkeepers and bakers that are also operating illegally in the area,” said Samkharadze.

Human Rights Center got in touch with Tabutsadze. A month ago he told us that he was acting under the declaration of the parliament, but now he cites another law.

“Read Administrative Code Article 153, and you will understand why I forced the traders away,” said Tabutsadze over the phone. This Article states that trading in the street is illegal without a special license. However, Leila Samkharadze, Chairwoman of Orthodox Union, claimed that it is illegal to build anything in squares at all. “Why don’t they detain those people who have been issued a license for construction in the squares?” asked Samkharadze.

Traders appealed the Human Rights Center, Gori office. The Center is concerned about the behavior of the Shida Kartli Police.

Saba Tsitsikashvili, Gori

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