News in Brief
Tuesday, November 20
BSEC Parliamentary Assembly session begins in Tbilisi
On November 19 a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation organization (PABSEC) began in Tbilisi, and will last until November 21.
Georgia is due to transfer chairmanship of the organization to Greece during this session.
(Black Sea Press) Sound equipment used to disperse protestors on November 7
According to a TV documentary aired on November 18, the sound equipment used to help disperse protestors on November 7 is an American-made device that has been used by the US army in Iraq.
“This system has been used by US army units in Iraq. On November 7 it was used by the Georgian Interior Ministry for dispersing protestors,” the program “The Final Report” stated.
“The device causes a sharp pain in the ears, and a feeling of uncontrolled fear. According to some specialists, these systems can induce psychological problems,” an expert interviewed in the documentary stated.
According to the program, international conventions do not envisage prohibition of these systems use as this equipment was developed after they had been signed.
(Black Sea Press)
Georgian Football Federation calls on fans to be well behaved
The Georgian Football Federation (GFF) calls on Georgian football fans to observe the rules of behavior that are stated on the back of tickets during international matches, according to the GFF.
The call comes after management of the Boris Paichadze international stadium in Tbilisi criticized the conduct of fans during the recent Georgia-Scotland match.
They complained of broken seats in the stands and damage to the racetrack caused by lit cigarettes that burned the high quality surfacing.
(Black Sea Press)
Radio Imedi employees barred from entering the premises
Police barred Imedi Radio journalists from entering the station premises on November 19.
According to Imedi representatives, the police did not explain why the journalists were barred from entry, and did not provide any legal documentation justifying the ban.
Nona Kandiashvili, director of the radio station said authorities had given no explanation.
“We tried to establish a contact with the Interior Ministry to demand an explanation as to why radio broadcasting has been suspended. If it is connected with closure of TV Imedi, we would like to remind [the authorities] that Radio Imedi is a separate legal entity which has a license for broadcasting,” Kandiashvili stated.
As far as further actions are concerned, Nona Kandiashvili stated that company lawyers are working on the issue and they would decide what legal methods would be used to restore the company broadcasting as soon as possible.
(Black Sea Press)
Mayor: Tbilisi metro will be as good as European metro systems
Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava declared that the Tbilisi metro will be as good as metro systems in western Europe, at the opening of the recently renovated Nadzaladevi station.
“This year three metro stations have been renovated, next year more will under rehabilitation works, including Vagzlis Moedani. We are doing everything possible to make the Metro service as comfortable as it can be,” Ugulava added.
Rehabilitation work on the Nadzaladevi station took six months and cost a total of GEL 680 000. A further GEL 20 000 was allocated for improving the public garden near the metro station.
(Black Sea Press) )
On November 19 a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation organization (PABSEC) began in Tbilisi, and will last until November 21.
Georgia is due to transfer chairmanship of the organization to Greece during this session.
(Black Sea Press) Sound equipment used to disperse protestors on November 7
According to a TV documentary aired on November 18, the sound equipment used to help disperse protestors on November 7 is an American-made device that has been used by the US army in Iraq.
“This system has been used by US army units in Iraq. On November 7 it was used by the Georgian Interior Ministry for dispersing protestors,” the program “The Final Report” stated.
“The device causes a sharp pain in the ears, and a feeling of uncontrolled fear. According to some specialists, these systems can induce psychological problems,” an expert interviewed in the documentary stated.
According to the program, international conventions do not envisage prohibition of these systems use as this equipment was developed after they had been signed.
(Black Sea Press)
Georgian Football Federation calls on fans to be well behaved
The Georgian Football Federation (GFF) calls on Georgian football fans to observe the rules of behavior that are stated on the back of tickets during international matches, according to the GFF.
The call comes after management of the Boris Paichadze international stadium in Tbilisi criticized the conduct of fans during the recent Georgia-Scotland match.
They complained of broken seats in the stands and damage to the racetrack caused by lit cigarettes that burned the high quality surfacing.
(Black Sea Press)
Radio Imedi employees barred from entering the premises
Police barred Imedi Radio journalists from entering the station premises on November 19.
According to Imedi representatives, the police did not explain why the journalists were barred from entry, and did not provide any legal documentation justifying the ban.
Nona Kandiashvili, director of the radio station said authorities had given no explanation.
“We tried to establish a contact with the Interior Ministry to demand an explanation as to why radio broadcasting has been suspended. If it is connected with closure of TV Imedi, we would like to remind [the authorities] that Radio Imedi is a separate legal entity which has a license for broadcasting,” Kandiashvili stated.
As far as further actions are concerned, Nona Kandiashvili stated that company lawyers are working on the issue and they would decide what legal methods would be used to restore the company broadcasting as soon as possible.
(Black Sea Press)
Mayor: Tbilisi metro will be as good as European metro systems
Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava declared that the Tbilisi metro will be as good as metro systems in western Europe, at the opening of the recently renovated Nadzaladevi station.
“This year three metro stations have been renovated, next year more will under rehabilitation works, including Vagzlis Moedani. We are doing everything possible to make the Metro service as comfortable as it can be,” Ugulava added.
Rehabilitation work on the Nadzaladevi station took six months and cost a total of GEL 680 000. A further GEL 20 000 was allocated for improving the public garden near the metro station.
(Black Sea Press) )