Are “Suspicious” Newspapers Prohibited in Sighnaghi?

Are “Suspicious” Newspapers Prohibited in Sighnaghi?

According to the directives of Berdo Asanishvili, local governer of Sighnaghi, his first deputy, Zaza Zedelashvili and MP Nugzar Abulashvili, newspaper-distributors are prohibited to sell “suspicious” newspapers in Sighnaghi. One of the distributors informed “Human Rights Center” about the fact.

According to him, on Friday they were reported by Sighnaghi local government to show them newspapers before realization, if they receive one with articles about the district. “They came and told me it was Council’s directive, that as soon as we receive a newspaper, especially regional ones and if it would have any article about Sighnaghi in it, whoever it would belong to, we must get in touch with Marina and get permission to sell them. Please find out what is going on, and let us know too, but don’t give my mane away, or I would have problems”- asked the distributor.

We tried to ascertain the information by asking other distributors too. Most of them did not want to speak up with us about the problem and they neither denied nor confirmed the information. It must be pointed out that as soon as they guessed what we wanted to speak about, they kept from conversation. Some of the distributors mentioned names of Asanishvili together with his deputy, Zedelashvili and MP Nugzar Abulashvili.

According to the reliable sources, the initiative belongs to MP Abulashvili. The decision was made at National Movement Sighnaghi regional office with regional council and his first deputy several days ago.

The information about restriction of newspaper distribution is categorically denied by Sighnaghi regional council, Berdo Asanishvili. “What restriction are you talking about? It is a 200 and 500% lie. Tell me who has told you it and I will take care of him.”- stated Berdo Asanishvili.

It must be mentioned, that it is not first occasion of independent newspaper restriction in Kakheti.

Gela Mtivlishvili, Kakheti