The Messenger #151 (1418)

Thursday, August 9, 2007, #151 (1418)

News in Brief

Former Abashidze press secretary to be released before end of term

The family of imprisoned journalist Tamaz Bakuridze appealed to the Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili to pardon him.

Elguja Mirvelashvili, Bakuridze's lawyer, stated that the defence is sure that the appeal will be successful, as there are no obstacles to releasing the journalist.

Tamaz Bakuridze, former head of TV company Adjara and press secretary under Aslan Abashidze-the former head of autonomous republic Adjara-was detained in August 2004 for misappropriation of money and abuse of power. He was accused of a GEL 3.9 million (USD 2.2 million) embezzlement when he was head of Adjaran television and the information center. He was sentenced to six years and six months of imprisonment and fined GEL 1.6 million (USD 0.9 million). The court of appeals reduced the amount to GEL 400 000.

"We are sure that our request will be resolved positively as there are no factors that can prevent his early release. In terms of his personal qualities, Tamaz Bakuridze is not a danger to society and he never was," Mirvelashvili said.

Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Civil Integration Elene Tevdoradze does not exclude the possibility of an early release.

On August 1 Tevdoradze visited Bakuridze in Avchala facility to discuss the issue.

According to Mirvelashvili, at the meeting the human rights defender promised to promote the notion of early release.

"Tevdoradze said that a talk with President Saakashvili gave her hope for a positive settlement of the issue. In November, Bakuridze will be halfway through his prison term. So, hopefully the president will make a positive decision concerning this issue and will pardon Bakuridze before the new year comes," Mirvelashvili said.

According to him, Elene Tevdoradze was interested in the conditions the convict was kept in and found them to be satisfactory.

Journalists from Adjara appealed to Saakashvili on July 27, requesting Bakuridze to be pardoned and released before his term ends.

(Black Sea Press)

Training course for Civil Registry employees

Training courses for employees of the Civil Registry Agency at the Ministry of Justice will take place at Varazi Hotel from August 8-11.

The Justice Ministry said that the aim of the course is to improve the management and administration of registering land and real estate.

The course is held within the frameworks of the support project implemented by SIDA.
(Prime News)

Scheduled blackouts in Tbilisi

Due to rehabilitation works at an electricity distribution network, several districts of Tbilisi were left without electricity on August 8.

According to the electricity distribution company Telasi, some parts of the Isani district were left without electricity from 11:00 till 16:00 on Wednesday.

Electricity was not supplied to part of the Gldani district from 11:00 till 15:00 that day.

(Prime News)

Teen murdered in Varketili District

A youth named Beka Gogoladze was killed yesterday in the Varketili district of Tbilisi.

L. Rekhviashvili, 15, a prime suspect in the investigation, was detained several hours after the incident took place.

According to witnesses, Gogoladze was killed with a knife.

Rekhviashvili confessed and was to be charged Wednesday.

(Prime News)