Political Controversy Has Started in Samegrelo Region

Nana Pazhava, Zugdidi

Vladimer Vakhania, Russia based Georgian businessman, was arrested in Zugdidi after 8-year political persecution. On March 15, special unit of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti regional police department conducted special operation at 11:00 pm when Vakhania was in his house alone. As a result of the search automatic gun and two handheld shells were withdrawn from his house.

The most worrying and astonishing side of the fact is the reason of the detention: it is statement of Lela Khubulava, journalist of the newspaper “Samegrelo Kronika” where she blamed Vakhania for interfering in her journalistic activities and threatening her. Police searched the house of the businessman in order to withdraw audio-recording which Vakhania seized from the journalist.

The attorneys of the accused do not doubt that law enforcers blackmailed, threatened and oppressed the journalist. On March 17, at the trial in Zugdidi district court where liability for Vakhania was being discussed the accused spoke about blackmailing and threatening.

The situation about Vladimer Vakhania started on October 12, 2008. Political persecution on him started from international airport of Tbilisi. Police arrested Vakhania when he registered at the airport for the departure to Russia, passed through the customs and was in so-called neutral zone. Law enforcers seized passports of Georgian and Russian citizens and mobile phone. After a short-term detention he was released but long-term persecution on him started.

Vakhania recalled at the trial how law enforcers compelled him to plead cooperation with Russian special service and his being an agent. However, every attempt of the police failed to influence him. During several months Vakhania was trying to get back the documents that were seized from him. He petitioned to the President of Georgia, Parliament of Georgia and Pridon Todua, single mandate MP from Zugdidi district. The only reply to his 15 petitions was from the parliament of Georgia which informed him about the investigation that was launched at Tbilisi Prosecutor’s Office.

Open letters and interviews with Vakhania were published in Georgian newspapers several times; however there was no reaction.

On February 13 supporters of Vakhania held protest demonstration in front of the culture house of EngurKagaldKombinati and requested to return the seized passports to their owner. On that day, Vakhania did not appear in the demonstration; however, Lela Khubulava interviewed him in his house. “Lela Khubulava turned out my neighbor. Since I have been living in Moscow for over 30 years I did not know her. I let her in as a neighbor. Then we settled that before publishing the article I would read the article. Three days later, she visited me again and gave a copy of the audio-recording of my interview. She had new questions and went into the next room to prepare questions. However, I could not answer them because I was busy.

On March 11, when I decided to establish a political party, Khubulava came to the meeting and demanded the audio-recording back; she said I would face problems if I refused. I explained that if the copy was so important for her I could return it to her but I did not remember in which house I had kept it,” said Vladimer Vakhania.

Lela Khubulava does not make comments regarding the fact and her assessment of the fact is not known. Her only reply to phone calls is that she is feeling bad. Reportedly, Vakhania and his supporters really oppressed the journalist; other correspondents of the newspaper confirm the allegation. However, none of them speak about concrete details. As for political party Vakhania was going to establish in Zugdidi, was not set up and it resulted from political oppression. Activists of the future party were not allowed to hold constituent assembly. Owners of several halls refused them to rent the space however the meeting was organized in a private office.

The problems were created immediately when notary was to legalize the new party “for the United Georgia”. The notary disappeared from the city together with the documents of the party.

Vladimer Vakhania is lawyer and he worked as a prosecutor for many years in Moscow. However, he is astonished by the activities of Georgian law enforcers. He said the charges under Article 236, part I and Article 154, Part I and II of the Criminal Code of Georgia are fabricated.

Vladimer Vakhania: “I could never imagine introducing myself as a political person but my experience in my native country made me act so. Even in Russia nobody used similar methods. I could leave the country but did not do it. How should I flee from my motherland?! Who and why should I flee from?! It is impossible to live like that.”

Although the charges against Vakhania are less grave, Judge Abshilava did not envisage solicitations of the attorneys and sentenced him to two-month pre-trial imprisonment. One of the lawyers indicates to procedural violations which occurred during the detention of Vakhania.

Ilia Lomaia: “The accused was not handed detention protocol; his flat was searched without witnesses. Since the investigation has not handed case materials to us so far, we do not know the details. However, court discussion demonstrated that Vakhania is victim of political controversy.”

Neighbors and relatives of Vakhania were victim of inhuman treatment as witnesses claim. One of the witnesses claimed that before special operation started 30 cars of patrol police drove into the street where Vakhania lived. As bus with soldiers of special unit was deployed in front of the journalist’s house; evidently they were protecting her. One hour after policemen entered the house witnesses were called into the house. One of the witnesses, a man from the neighborhood, got bad because of high blood pressure. Then, relative of Vakhania had heart attack and two ambulances were called at the place. Policemen were shouting, cursing. One of them was particularly active; he was deputy head of Khobi police station. He was threatening neighbors with gun in the yard of the house. When Vakhania was placed in the car, policemen forced the witnesses out of the yard and pushed them towards their houses.

Unfortunately, there is nothing new in this information for the readers because Samegrelo region is part of Georgia and the situation is similar everywhere in our country.

Source: Presa.ge