Prosecutor’s Office Became Interested in MP’s Activities

Kakheti Regional Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the activities of Nugzar Abulashvili, Member of the Georgian Parliament.  Law enforcement detained the governor of the Sighnaghi District, Berdo Asanishvili, and his advisor, Mamuka Mangoshvili, in October of last year. The prosecutor blamed them for abusing their power. Asanishvili, as soon as he was detained, stated that Abulashvili, MP and the chairman of the Sighnaghi District Office of the National Movement, was transferring and selling hundreds of acres of land during the last two years through corruption. “Initially, Abulashvili made us work and then he denounced us to the prosecutor when he did not need our support,” said Asanishvili.

Gogi Chirinashvili, the governor of the village of Anaga in the Sighnaghi district, also blamed the MP for similar crime. The village governor spoke about the criminal activities of the MP that ended in controversy between him and the MP.  “Before Asanishvili was detained, I visited Mangoshvili in his quarter and asked him to let me lease 200 square meters of land for business purposes. I had the right to lease the land under the law. He did not deny the fact that he could not give me the land without Abulashvili’s permission. He said he would speak with Nugzar and get back to me in two days. Mangosihvili met me at the appointed time but said that Nugzar wanted me to pay 2,000 USD for the plot,” said Chirinashvili, who turned down the offer.

On June 15, 2006, activists of the local arm of National Movement turned away journalists who wanted to see the demonstration that was being held against Nugzar Abulashvili. The demonstration was arranged by NGOs. Activists broke video cameras, seized video records and microphones, and assaulted journalists. Police detained three of the activists, Isoeb Nanobashvili, Vasil Munjishvili, and Jemal Demetrashvili. The judge at the Sighnaghi District Court, Khvicha Kikilashvili, sentenced Nanobashvili and Munjishvili to two-month pretrial imprisonment. Demetrashvili was released on bail of 5,000 GEL.

Although the victims blamed Abulashvili for having organized the harassment on them and made testimonies to the law enforcers where they provided all proofs for the accusation, nobody got interested in Abulashvili’s activities yet. The Chairwoman of the Georgian Parliament, Nino Burjanadze, called the fact vandal act and demanded to react on it properly in order to punish criminals immediately. Later on her statements turned out to be fraudulent. The victim journalists said that Abulashvili promised to release Nanobashvili and Munjishvili from prison in exchange for their silence. Eight months have passed since the investigation was launched. Judge Kikilashvili could not find time to wrap up the case, yet. Despite several attempts, journalists have not been able to view the case materials. The judge threatens to detain them unless they stop complaining.

Three weeks ago, the regional prosecutor’s office became interested in the statements made against the MP. According to reliable sources, several people were interrogated. However, their names were kept secret. Tamaz Tsabutashvili, the Prosecutor of the Kakheti Region, confirmed that the prosecutor’s office is interested in the MP’s activities. “At this moment, there is no criminal case. However, the court is discussing the criminal cases of Asanishvili and Mangoshvili. [As a result of these cases,] there are various accusations that have attracted our attention. Consequently, we opened an investigation. Unfortunately, I cannot say anything more in the interest of the investigation,” said Tsabutashvili.

Abulashvili categorically denies the accusations against him. “What did you say? Has Berdo Asanishvili accused me of something? What nonsense? I have nothing to do with this case. What kind of dispersal are you talking about? What kind of investigation…I am not going to comment on the fact,” said Abulashvili over the phone.

Representatives of the Kakheti Regional Prosecutor’s office said that there is sufficient evidence against Abulashvili to charge him with crimes. Supposedly, the charges will be filed in April. Meanwhile, the prosecutor’s office is awaiting additional accusations.

Gela Mtivlishvili, Kakheti