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The News in Brief

Friday, November 29
By Liza Mchedlidze



‘Opposition aims to cause clashes and conflicts’ says Kakha Kaladze

While discussing the current political situation in the country with journalists, Kaladze stated that everyone in Georgia has freedom of expression, but it has to be within the frame of the constitution.

Kaladze called on the opposition to be constructive and maintain peaceful reactions. According to him, the ‘Georgian Dream’ party members are very peaceful regarding the ongoing protests on Rustaveli Avenue.

“The fact that there are people who have different opinions doesn’t cause us any discomfort. Not everyone has the same approach and attitude on specific issues. It is important to maintain peace in the interests of our country. I call on the opposition to be constructive,” said Kaladze.

Kaladze says that this kind of freedom of expression “only harms opposition and its interests,not the ruling party.”

He also stated that blocking the entrance of the parliament and interrupting the workspace for the ruling party is illegal and the police which is mobilized around the building is to ‘prevent and avoid confrontations.’



Six MPs left ‘Georgian Dream’ to create a faction, led by Mariam Jashi

A new faction "Independent MPs" is being formed in the parliament which will be led by Mariam Jashi, Levan Koberidze says.

The faction will include Mariam Jashi, Levan Gogichaishvili, Gedevan Popkhadze, Koba Narchemashvili, Zviad Kvachantiradze, and Levan Koberidze.

According to Levan Koberidze, the MPs who left the party because the ‘Georgian Dream’ rejected the proposal of the Proportional Electoral System are now going to create a faction that will not be led by any already political group agenda.

Mariam Jashi spoke about her decision:

“To me, the status of an independent MP and the ability to make free, impartial statements and positions are extremely important. This offer has been up from colleagues for 5 days. I see from my colleagues that they are ready to create a constructive faction that will be focused on the interests of society. This is a very exciting challenge. We want to create a new agenda. Each of us retains the ability to make individual statements as independent MPs, but only conciliated positions will be voiced on behalf of the faction. The faction will not lead the agenda of any political party. We are maintaining the impartial position of independent MPs,” said Jashi.



MDF identifies 21 Internet Trolls in opposition to the protests

According to research by the Media Development Fund (MDF), in response to the ongoing protests demanding a change in the electoral system, government trolls continued to appear on Facebook. According to MDF, 21 trolls that steal the identities of users registered on different social networks.

As the foundation explains, government trolls were discrediting the rally participants and were expressing support for the government.

According to the fund's report, 5 out of the 21 trolls identified are managed by the same spam groups where they shared post-crediting content. Two of the 5 administrators of these groups are now deactivated.

“Along with discrediting the protesters, trolls were spreading pro-government messages through social media, they were justifying the dropping of Proportional Electoral System and violently dispersing protesters by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, also discrediting the opposition.”



62 people detained for VAT fraud, officials state

Finance Minister Ivane Machavariani says 62 people have been arrested in connection with the VAT fraud case, most of whom are former public servants, including former employees of the Prosecutor's Office and the Revenue Service.



As the Minister responded to the Parliament's question on VAT fraud within the framework of the ‘Ministerial Hour’, there are no questions regarding the current staff of the agency.

“There are 102 persons charged with VAT fraud, 62 of whom are in custody. It is wrong to call the detainees businessmen. Let me tell you, it's hard to call these 62 people a businessman. Many of them are former employees of various state agencies, including the Revenue Service, the Investigation Service, and Prosecutor’s office,” said machavariani.

According to Machavariani overall value of seized properties is 123 Million GEL, 700 thousand GEL worth of for jewelry, gold, cars and 6.3 Million GEL for fuel.

Machavariani says that such fraud should be prevented from happening again and that investments in computer programs should be made.