Patarkatsishvili’s amusement park, raided by authorities, fights to stay open
By Ana Datiashvili
Tuesday, November 13
A company owned by Badri Patarkatsishvili is fighting Tbilisi City Hall after authorities shut down its newly-constructed Mtsatsminda amusement park on November 7.
That day, Tbilisi Vice-Mayor Mamuka Akhveldiani held a press conference to announce the cancellation of the city’s 49-year contract with Lynx Ltd.
“The contract envisaged keeping entirely with the terms of the competition, meaning to raise investments, start rehabilitation works and install attractions and other entertainment fixtures in Mtsatsminda Park,” the vice-mayor stated.
Lynx, however, has violated multiple terms of the contract and owed lease fees dating back to 2005, Akhvlediani said.
In cancelling the lease, he added, the city government would reimburse Lynx the money the company has already spent on the park.
Tbilisi City Hall will take over the rehabilitation of the park, city council head Zaza Begashvili said.
“This will never be called an ‘unfinished park,’” he pledged. “This is a favourite place for our citizens, and it will regain its previous charm.”
Lynx representatives deny City Hall’s accusations they violated their contract. According to them, special forces officers stormed the amusement part at about 11 in the morning on November 7, the day riot police violently dispersed anti-government protests in central Tbilisi.
They took over control of the main administration buildings, a company statement claimed, and seized documents.
“Despite repeated questions from the management of the park, the perpetrators gave neither explanation nor provided any documentation justifying their actions,” the statement read. “All park employees were ordered to clear the park premises and masked military units were brought into the building to remove employees by force.”
The company denies that its leasing fees are overdue. Lynx provided a letter, signed by Vice-Mayor Akhvlediani, which states that the company had until November 17 to make its payments.
Lynx management also contest city officials’ claim that only a small investment had been made in fixing up the park. The lease agreement, the company states, entailed an investment of USD 5 million—and they’ve so far put in USD 25 million, with more planned.
“The company will [try to regain] its assets, worth millions of dollars, which remain in the park out of the company’s control,” the statement reads.
Vice-Mayor Akhvlediani, however, told the Messenger that Lynx’s version of events is far from the truth.
“It was not masked military forces [which entered the park], they were just security units and it is not true that some people were kicked out from the territory. Other things will be shown in the future; you will see it all in court,” he said on November 12.
Lynx Ltd. is a Georgian company owned by tycoon and presidential candidate Patarkatsishvili, currently wanted for questioning on his role in a government-alleged conspiracy to overthrow the state. It won a 49-year lease from Tbilisi in March 2005 to develop and manage a made-over Mtsatsminda Park.
That day, Tbilisi Vice-Mayor Mamuka Akhveldiani held a press conference to announce the cancellation of the city’s 49-year contract with Lynx Ltd.
“The contract envisaged keeping entirely with the terms of the competition, meaning to raise investments, start rehabilitation works and install attractions and other entertainment fixtures in Mtsatsminda Park,” the vice-mayor stated.
Lynx, however, has violated multiple terms of the contract and owed lease fees dating back to 2005, Akhvlediani said.
In cancelling the lease, he added, the city government would reimburse Lynx the money the company has already spent on the park.
Tbilisi City Hall will take over the rehabilitation of the park, city council head Zaza Begashvili said.
“This will never be called an ‘unfinished park,’” he pledged. “This is a favourite place for our citizens, and it will regain its previous charm.”
Lynx representatives deny City Hall’s accusations they violated their contract. According to them, special forces officers stormed the amusement part at about 11 in the morning on November 7, the day riot police violently dispersed anti-government protests in central Tbilisi.
They took over control of the main administration buildings, a company statement claimed, and seized documents.
“Despite repeated questions from the management of the park, the perpetrators gave neither explanation nor provided any documentation justifying their actions,” the statement read. “All park employees were ordered to clear the park premises and masked military units were brought into the building to remove employees by force.”
The company denies that its leasing fees are overdue. Lynx provided a letter, signed by Vice-Mayor Akhvlediani, which states that the company had until November 17 to make its payments.
Lynx management also contest city officials’ claim that only a small investment had been made in fixing up the park. The lease agreement, the company states, entailed an investment of USD 5 million—and they’ve so far put in USD 25 million, with more planned.
“The company will [try to regain] its assets, worth millions of dollars, which remain in the park out of the company’s control,” the statement reads.
Vice-Mayor Akhvlediani, however, told the Messenger that Lynx’s version of events is far from the truth.
“It was not masked military forces [which entered the park], they were just security units and it is not true that some people were kicked out from the territory. Other things will be shown in the future; you will see it all in court,” he said on November 12.
Lynx Ltd. is a Georgian company owned by tycoon and presidential candidate Patarkatsishvili, currently wanted for questioning on his role in a government-alleged conspiracy to overthrow the state. It won a 49-year lease from Tbilisi in March 2005 to develop and manage a made-over Mtsatsminda Park.