Shida Kartli Prosecutor’s Office Protects former Governor

Tamar Maisuradze

Guram Mikhanashvili, a resident of the village of Ateni in Gori district, had to leave his native village along with his family because of problems that his brother, Robinzon Mikhanashvili, had experienced.  The family has been trying to return their property from Robinzon Mikhanashvili already now for two years. Shida Kartli regional Prosecutor’s Office considers that Robinzon Mikhanashvili had not committed anything wrong. However, in the past he was governor of the village of Ateni. According to the investigation materials, the former governor cut down the vineyard of his brother, dismantled iron construction of the wine-terrace in his brother’s yard, as well as dismantling the wine-press… the construction materials of the wine-press then disappeared.

The argument between the brothers started as far back as 2003. The father, Shalva Mikhanashvili died and his sons decided to divide up the property. Governor Robinzon Mikhanashvili won out in the resulting controversy and then prohibited his brother from visiting the native house in the village. Robinzon Mikhanashvili considers that he is the owner of the house because his brother, Guram Mikhanashvili has a house in Gori, and that he never paid any attention to the aged father. Guram Mikhanashvili’s family claims that his brother lies because former governor did not waste any of his money for the funeral of their father whatsoever.

Tamar Maisuradze: “Since my father-in-law died my brother-in-law has not allowed me and my child to visit the house in the village. My husband is very ill because as a result of being nervous. Robinzon Mikhanashvili had falsified the documents while he was a governor and now he tries to misappropriate the property that was left to my husband. My brother-in-law has not been member of the family since 1973; he was registered as a separate family and consequently had no right to prevent my child and me from enjoying our rightful property.”

Tamar Maisuradze appealed to Gori district court in spring of 2007. Unfortunately, the appeal became a reason for increased harassment from her brother-in-law who continued to abuse them. In April Robinzon Mikhanashvili cut the vineyard in the plot; dismantled the construction for wine terrace and even dismantled the wine-press. He also destroyed the gate leading to the house and even tried to join the building with the house. Tamar Maisuradze informed law enforcement bodies about the fact, however, the law enforcers from Gori have not found out yet whether Robinzon Mikhanashvili had acted deliberately or is the one who stole the property of his brother.

The court will find out who is the legal owner of the native house, though the process may be long and drawn-out.  As for cutting the vineyard and dismantling the winepress, it is very strange occurrence.

When the government declared over-all amnesty Robinzon Mikhanashvili was pardoned for having cut down the vines; Kakha Muradashvili, Gori district prosecutor, dropped the investigation against Robinzon Mikhanashvili as a consequence.

Meanwhile, in September of 2008 Tamar Maisuradze reported to the district prosecutor’s office that a new crime had been committed. She stated that Robinzon Mikhanashvili had stolen some construction materials from the house that is centre to the controversy.

Archil Bedukadze, deputy prosecutor, sent the appeal of the victim to Misha Kandelaki, the head of Gori district department of the Internal Ministry with the following note: “Here we are sending the appeal of Tamar Maisuradze-Mikhanashvili who is bringing suit over the thief of her truck.” Evidently the prosecutor could not make out one truck from a truck full of construction materials.

One more interesting fact is that an investigator, who was in charge for the case regarding cutting the vines, took over the investigation about dismantling the winepress. Victim Tamar Maisuradze considers that investigators of the Gori district police department # 4 should not investigate the case.

Several suits of the applicant woman were sent to Davit Sakvarelidze, Shida Kartli regional prosecutor. After having first failed to achieve any justice when applying to various district agencies, Tamar Maisuradze-Mikhanashvili, then had no choice but to appeal to the Prosecutor General’s office in seeking relief.  However, the notification of the Prosecutor General was passed to the same investigators whom the suitor did not trust in the first place.

“Prosecutor Kakha Muradashvili wonders why should I care based on which actual suit the investigation will be started … ironically they are coming to me because I am the one who is writing many appeals about my problem. In addition, investigators Sauri and Jioshvili interrogated me and they sill don’t know based on which suit they are leading up the investigation. I arrived in Ateni to examine the place along with the investigators. We called neighbor woman to sign an examination protocol of the case.  However, the woman refused to sign the document and stated she did not want to interfere with the matter. Nevertheless, several days later, an explanation letter of the neighbor lady appears in the case materials where she claims that construction materials belonged to her and it was sold it to Robinzon Mikhanashvili. The law enforcers, who have witnessed all illegal activities, prolong the investigation, and this was deliberately done, and besides that, they even falsify the documents. Because of the sense of impunity, Robinzon Mikhanashvili commits yet new crimes,” said Tamar Maisuradze-Mikhanashvili.

The victim who is a woman then applied to the Human Rights Centre for assistance with the problem. Eka Khutsishvili, lawyer for the Gori office of the centre, did not exclude the possibility that investigation might be launched because of illegal activities of Robinzon Mikhanashvili during his tenure the governor of the village. The Human Rights Centre is concerned over how investigation is being carried out and this is partially because investigators are not interested in the fact that a registration book of the families that was located in the village disappeared during the period when he served as the village governor. There are people who can confirm that crime. In addition, Robinzon Mikhanashvili threatened his sister-in-law in the presence of policemen to revenge her after he is free from prison. “You will be arrested”, he claimed.