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Compiled by Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Tuesday, September 1
Akhalgori citizens say they are being ignored

Kvris Palitra reports that Akhalgori citizens are accusing the Georgian Government of ignoring them. They consider this ignorance to be deliberate and an attempt to empty this region of ethnic Georgians.

Akhalgori School Director Tamar Mearakishvili says that problems with electricity, heating and teacher’s salaries have not been settled. “The number of pupils has reduced compared to last year. We had no heating all winter. Teachers have been given only small sums instead of their salaries,” she said, adding that if Akhalgori schools close, Georgian citizens might leave the area. “Akhalgori’s Governor, Avtandil Kochishvili, has told me publicly that our Government wants to show the world that people are fleeing this region and us staying and working there is unacceptable for them. This is why the Government offered me a job in Tserovani with significantly better conditions, an offer I refused,” said Mearakishvili.



Railway incident has no victims

Kviris Palitra reports an incident on the overground section of track near Didube Metro station on August 28, in which a train derailed and damaged 20 cars. According to police the driver couldn’t put the brakes on and crashed into one car which created a chain of collisions. Fortunately, no one was in the car which the train struck at the time.

Georgian Railway representative Davit Gelashvili stated that the train is the Intrentrans company’s property and that company is therefore responsible for the loss. Two men sustained slight injuries as a result of the crash and were taken to hospital.



Pardons will continue

Kviris Palitra reports that 169 prisoners were released by the Penitentiary Department on August 29. The pardon was connected with the Dormition holiday. 69 prisoners have also had their sentences halved by President Saakashvili. A further round of pardons is planned for September, involving 400 prisoners.