What Is In Fact Going On In Gali District and What Information Is Reported by Georgian Side?

Geronti Khalichava, Zugdidi

On October 16Russian soldiers ruthlessly beat the teachers in the village of Tagiloni in Gali district.

George Baramia, the head of the legitimate government of Abkhazia, reported about this incident at the press-conference. According to him, Russian soldiers broke into the school and having found Georgian books there they beat teachers ruthlessly.

“They beat teacher Okujava most ruthlessly, who is in Gali District hospital now and Russian occupants do not allow relatives to take the teacher to the hospital in the territory controlled by Georgian government. I appeal to international observers, the observers of EU to support us to take the teacher to the territory controlled by the Georgian government”, stated Baramia.

According to him, Okujava feels very bad and his life is in danger.” If they do not allow Okujava to cross the Enguri Bridge, Russian occupants will be responsible for his life”, says the head of legitimate government of Abkhazia.

The Human Rights Centre got in touch with the resident of the occupied Tagiloni village after this incident. He denied several details reported by George Baramia and said that Russian occupants beat housekeeper of the public school and the teacher of Geography. According to our respondent, they had argument far from the school building as a result of the disagreement with Abkhazian soldiers; the information about Georgian books and examination of the school is not the truth. He also mentioned that, schooling process continues without any problems now.

It was also reported that the head of the de-facto government was going to arrive in Gali District on October 16.Giorgi Baramia said: ”Baghapshi tries to gain people’s confidence before the presidential elections. I do not suppose the citizens of Georgia will vote voluntarily, so Baghapshi will not change anything”, states George Baramia.

The respondents of the Human Rights Centre state that Baghapshi did not arrive in Gali District. The meeting was really organized but Baghapshi was not there. The members of the party “Edinaia Abkhazia” met people and they elected representatives of Gali District office of their party.

The de-facto presidential elections will be hold on December 12, 2009.Only Vitaly Bghanba was registered as a candidate officially; supposedly Sergei Baghapsh, Raul Khajimba and Valeri Butba are also candidates.

The registration of candidates began on October 1 and will end on November 12.