ISFED Monitoring of Post-Election Processes-3rd Report

8/22/2019 ISFED Monitoring of Post-Election Processes-3rd Report

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International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy

(I S F E D)

Monitoring of Post-Election Processes Dismissals, Protest Rallies, Legal Prosecutions in

Local Self-Government Authorities

Third Report

April 22, 2013

Tbilisi

Publishing this report was made possible with the support of Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Georgia

and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

The views expressed in the report belong solely to the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy and do

not necessarily reflect the views of NDI, USAID, United States Government or the Kingdom of the Netherlands


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Contents

I. Executive Summary

II. Monitoring Methodology

III. Key Findings of the Monitoring

IV. Detailed Report of the Monitoring

1. Replacement of Sakrebulo Chairpersons and Gamgebelis

2. Protest rallies staged in municipalities with participants demanding resignation of officials

3. Dismissals in Self-Governments

3.1 Dismissals in the Supreme Council of Adjara

4. Developments in Tbilisi Self-Government

5. Redistribution of Political Forces in Sakrebulos

6. Legal Prosecutions

VI. Conclusion


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I. Executive Summary

After the Georgian Dream coalition won the October 1, 2012 parliamentary elections, former

opposition force came into power. Although results of the parliamentary elections should not have

reflected on local self-government, the process of changing municipality officials (Gamgebelis,Mayors, Sakrebulo Chairpersons) ensued immediately after the elections. Former officials

representing the United National Movement (UNM) were massively replaced by representatives ofthe Georgian Dream.

Newly appointed officials started changing staff in offices of Gamgeoba and Sakrebulo, dismissing

most of the employees based on letters of resignation for personal reasons. In a number of cases,supervisors openly demanded that their subordinates submit letters of resignation. New Gamgebelis

replaced deputies and heads of departments. Dismissals mostly affected specialists and trustees of

Gamgeobas and territorial agencies. Further staff changes were also reported in agenciessubordinated to self-governments, including kindergartens, cleaning services, fire departments,

cultural centers, etc.

Notably, following the parliamentary elections important political changes were made in various

municipality Sakrebulos. New factions were set up; groups of Sakrebulo members disaffiliated from

the former majority and set up new factions or continued as independent members. The processresulted in changes in the balance of power and formation of the new majorities.

Recent developments in Tbilisi Sakrebulo drew particular attention. Law enforcement authoritiessummoned Sakrebulo Members for questioning in various agencies. On March 29 seven members of

Sakrebulo from the UNM were together summoned by the investigating department of the Ministry

of Finance for questioning. In a number of instances, Sakrebulo Members left the UNM to continueas independent members. In view of these developments, fairness of processes unfolding in Tbilisi

Sakrebulo is questionable.

NGOs summed up the work of the new government during the period of first 100 days at a press

conference 100 Days in Power: Rule of Law and Human Rights held on February 18, 2013. At the

press conference Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili commented on the developments atmunicipalities and stated that he is concerned about the issue, and his team is not happy with the

way these events are unfolding.1

Despite the statement made by the Prime Minister, these processes continue. Only 6 municipalities

out of 55 announced a competition to hire new employees. In remaining municipalities hiring

decisions were based upon party affiliation or familial ties.

Public Defender highlighted the developments in local municipalities in its annual report. The

ombudsmans report cites ISFEDs statistical information about replacement of Gamgebelis andSakrebulo Chairpersons, saying that after the replacement of Gamgebelis and Deputy Gamgebelis

in local self-governments following the 2012 parliamentary elections, employees of these self-

1http://liberali.ge/ge/liberali/news/114019/
http://liberali.ge/ge/liberali/news/114019/http://liberali.ge/ge/liberali/news/114019/http://liberali.ge/ge/liberali/news/114019/http://liberali.ge/ge/liberali/news/114019/


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governments massively resigned by submitted letters of resignation for personal reasons, which

raised suspicions about unhealthy and politically motivated decisions.2

On March 19, 2013, the CoEs Congress of Local and Regional Authorities elaborated

recommendations for the Georgian authorities, citing results from the ISFEDs self-governmentmonitoring report. In its recommendations the congress notes that the recent incidents reported to

the delegation during the fact finding visit, involving pressure exerted on local electedrepresentatives to resign their posts or change their party affiliation in favor of the new ruling party,have put local democracy in danger.

The Congress urges the Government of Georgia to ensure the autonomy and independence of localauthorities and democratically elected representatives, so that national election results do not

influence local government representative structure. It also says that substantial progress is still to

be made through institutional and legislative changes, as regards decentralization, local autonomyand accountability.

3

On April 15, 2013, the Prime Minister of Georgia released a special statement about thedevelopments in local self-governments, saying that recent dismissals of local self-government

employees have raised certain questions. Illegal or unsubstantiated dismissals from work are

unacceptable to me. I urge the responsible individuals not to allow dismissal of employees inviolation of law, including on political grounds.

4

ISFED has been monitoring post-election developments in all municipalities. ISFED condemned ona number of occasions illegal pressure mounted on self-governments, urging the government to put

an end to the vicious practice, investigate and prosecute the incidents. 5

The statement on staff

changes was published on March 26, whereas on April 4, in relation to the mass dismissal ofemployees in Sagarejo Municipality, ISFED urged the authorities to ensure prevention of the

unjustified practice in a timely manner.6

Self-government monitoring reports were published by

ISFED on December 21, 2012 and February 12, 2013.7

2Public defenders report is available athttp://www.ombudsman.ge/files/downloads/ge/iicsizmorgdfkahkdqvc.pdf

3

Recommendations are available athttps://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?Ref=REC334(2013)&Language=lanEnglish&Ver=original&Site=Congress&BackColo

rInternet=C3C3C3&BackColorIntranet=CACC9A&BackColorLogged=EFEA9C#P25_121

4 PMs statement is available athttp://government.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=GEO&sec_id=269&info_id=36609

5 ISFEDs statements is available athttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2012-11-16.pdf; http://isfed.ge/pdf/2012-11-28.pdf6 ISFEDs statements are available at:http://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_03_26.pdf;http://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_04_04(1).pdf

7 ISFEDs reports are available athttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2012-12-21%28rep%29.pdf;http://isfed.ge/pdf/Report_IV.pdf
http://www.ombudsman.ge/files/downloads/ge/iicsizmorgdfkahkdqvc.pdfhttp://www.ombudsman.ge/files/downloads/ge/iicsizmorgdfkahkdqvc.pdfhttp://www.ombudsman.ge/files/downloads/ge/iicsizmorgdfkahkdqvc.pdfhttps://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?Ref=REC334(2013)&Language=lanEnglish&Ver=original&Site=Congress&BackColorInternet=C3C3C3&BackColorIntranet=CACC9A&BackColorLogged=EFEA9C#P25_121https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?Ref=REC334(2013)&Language=lanEnglish&Ver=original&Site=Congress&BackColorInternet=C3C3C3&BackColorIntranet=CACC9A&BackColorLogged=EFEA9C#P25_121https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?Ref=REC334(2013)&Language=lanEnglish&Ver=original&Site=Congress&BackColorInternet=C3C3C3&BackColorIntranet=CACC9A&BackColorLogged=EFEA9C#P25_121http://government.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=GEO&sec_id=269&info_id=36609http://government.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=GEO&sec_id=269&info_id=36609http://government.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=GEO&sec_id=269&info_id=36609http://isfed.ge/pdf/2012-11-16.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2012-11-16.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2012-11-16.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2012-11-28.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2012-11-28.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_03_26.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_03_26.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_03_26.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_04_04(1).pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_04_04(1).pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_04_04(1).pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2012-12-21%28rep%29.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2012-12-21%28rep%29.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2012-12-21%28rep%29.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/Report_IV.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/Report_IV.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/Report_IV.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/Report_IV.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2012-12-21%28rep%29.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_04_04(1).pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_03_26.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2012-11-28.pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2012-11-16.pdfhttp://government.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=GEO&sec_id=269&info_id=36609https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?Ref=REC334(2013)&Language=lanEnglish&Ver=original&Site=Congress&BackColorInternet=C3C3C3&BackColorIntranet=CACC9A&BackColorLogged=EFEA9C#P25_121https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?Ref=REC334(2013)&Language=lanEnglish&Ver=original&Site=Congress&BackColorInternet=C3C3C3&BackColorIntranet=CACC9A&BackColorLogged=EFEA9C#P25_121http://www.ombudsman.ge/files/downloads/ge/iicsizmorgdfkahkdqvc.pdf


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II. Monitoring Methodology

ISFED has been carrying out the monitoring of post-election developments in all municipalities of

Georgia, in which ISFEDs District and regional coordinators throughout all municipalities ofGeorgia are key sources of information. Further, ISFED draws on media reports of ongoing

developments that are verified at the local level by ISFEDs representatives.

The present report mostly draws on media reports from the following outlets: Interpressnews, ShidaKartli Information Center, Info 9, news.ge, Kvemo Kartli Information Portal, Liberal.

The present report describes the municipal-level developments arranged thematically.

III. Key Findings of the Monitoring

From the October 1, 2012 elections to present8, total of50 Gamgebelis have resigned throughout

Georgia, including 48 after submitting letters of resignation for personal reasons and two under

corresponding decisions of Sakrebulo. During the very same period, 25 Sakrebulo Chairpersons

resigned, including 21 after submitting letters of resignation for personal reasons and four undercorresponding decisions of Sakrebulo.

As of December 21, 2012, (when the first report was published), total of 31 Gamgebelis and 16

Sakrebulo Chairpersons had resigned, whereas as of February 12, 2013, total of 46 Gamgebelis and

24 Sakrebulo Chairpersons had resigned. This means that the process of replacing MunicipalityGamgebelis and Sakrebulo Chairpersons has almost been finished; however, the focus has now been

shifted to replacement of employees and distribution of power among factions.

Five additional Gamgebelis have been appointed in Tbilisi, pursuant to the January 25, 2013resolution of Sakrebulo that increased the number of Gamgeobas in Tbilisi from six to ten. Out of

the new Gamgebelis 34 are members or supporters of the Georgian Dream, five are members orsupporters of the United National Movement. As to the remaining Gamgebelis they are either non-partisan or their political affiliation could not be identified. Competition for appointment of

Gamgebelis was announced in 15 municipalities only. In most cases Sakrebulo appointed Acting

Gamgebelis.

Notably, in a number of cases Acting Gamgebelis were appointed by Sakrebulo without holding a

competition e.g., in Gurjaani Municipality.

Replacement of Gamgebelis was coupled with the process of distribution of political powers in

Sakrebulos. Sakrebulo chairpersons were replaced in total of 25 municipalities. Starting from

October 1, 2012, to February 28, 2013, new factions were set up in 54 municipalities resulting inshifting the balance of power and formation of new majority. The faction of Cristian Democratic

Movement broke up in several Sakrebulos, while in some Sakrebulos new factions were created as a

result of breaking up the UNM factions9

or Sakrebulo members leaving the UNM. 10

The newlyestablished factions are supporters of the coalition Georgian Dream.

8 April 22, 2013

9 E.g. Kharagauli, Kutaisi, Tbilisi


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ISFED has been examining post-election staff changes in local municipalities. According to the

information that ISFED requested from all municipalities, from October 1, 2012 to February 28,2013, total of 1877 employees have been dismissed, majority of which comprised of trustees of

territorial agencies. There dismissals frequently were preceded by meetings with Gamgebeli. Total

of425 trustees have been dismissed in 34 municipalities. Staff changes occurred in 55 Gamgeobasand 26 Sakrebulos in 69 municipalities. Notably, staff changes continued in March too. ISFED

plans to publish the information at a later date.

Dismissals affected kindergartens in 10 municipalities11

and mostly involved the process of

changing heads of kindergarten unions. Massive dismissals were reported in Akhmeta, where the

process of optimization affected 205 employees. We found that members of the coalition GeorgianDream were appointed to part-time positions in Kaspi kindergartens, while existing employees had

their salaries reduced by half.

Majority of persons dismissed submitted letters of resignation. In many cases dozens of employeessubmitted resignation letters the same day; this raises logical doubts about whether they acted

according to their own will. In a number of cases dismissed public servants confirm that their

resignation was demanded by their supervisors; however, most of them are reluctant to publiclyacknowledge the fact. Some explained that they acted in view of the political situation and the

change of power, while other stated that they were dismissed upon expiration of contracts12

,

reorganization and competition to hire new employees. In a number of cases change of job orabolishment of office was cited as grounds for dismissals.

The process of hiring based on party affiliation was reported in 18 municipalities during the

reporting period. Competitions were announced in 6 municipalities only. Mostly activists andsupporters of the coalition Georgian Dream were appointed according to their political affiliation.

Developments in Tbilisi Sakrebulo attracted most attention during the reporting period. ISFEDfound that 12 members from majority were summoned for questioning by the office of the

prosecutor and the financial police. One of them was had to appear for questioning six times.

Regrettably, following the questionings members of Sakrebulo left majority faction, questionsvoluntary nature of processes unfolding in Tbilisi Sakrebulo. The suspicion is further reinforced by

the statement made by Sakrebulo Member Davit Tsereteli made after he left the office of financial

police. He said that investigators were asking questions only about his party-related activities.13

Sakrebulo meetings are traditionally held on every last Friday of each month. On March 29, when

another one of these meetings was scheduled, 7 members of Sakrebulo were summoned by the

investigating authorities of the Ministry of Finance. The UNM commented that this was an attemptto mount pressure on Sakrebulo and disrupt its activities.

10 E.G. Abasha, Chiatura, Akhaltsikhe, Bolnisi, Chokhatauri, Dmanisi, Tetritskaro, Lagodekhi, etc.

11 Information is available in subchapter 3. Staff changes in self-governments

12 E.g. 36 employees in Sighnaghi, 14 in Kvareli, 41 in Chuatura

13http://news.ge/ge/news/story/48371-sakrebulos-natsionaluri-modzraobis-tsevris-dakitkhva-5-saats-gagrdzelda
http://news.ge/ge/news/story/48371-sakrebulos-natsionaluri-modzraobis-tsevris-dakitkhva-5-saats-gagrdzeldahttp://news.ge/ge/news/story/48371-sakrebulos-natsionaluri-modzraobis-tsevris-dakitkhva-5-saats-gagrdzeldahttp://news.ge/ge/news/story/48371-sakrebulos-natsionaluri-modzraobis-tsevris-dakitkhva-5-saats-gagrdzeldahttp://news.ge/ge/news/story/48371-sakrebulos-natsionaluri-modzraobis-tsevris-dakitkhva-5-saats-gagrdzelda


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During the reporting periodinvestigating authorities launched a probe into activities of municipal

agencies. In several cases criminal proceedings were instituted and officials were questioned;

additionally, some municipalities were inspected by financial police. The present report features 11cases of prosecution in which probes were launched into the activities of local self-government

officials and public servants for events prior to the 2012 parliamentary elections. Probes have been

launched mostly into alleged abuse of budget resources and abuse of official authority.

IV. Detailed Monitoring Report

1. Replacement of Sakrebulo Chairpersons and GamgebelisThe present report outlines the information about replacement of 11 Gamgebelis and 2 Sakrebulo

Chairpersons during the reporting period of February 12 - April 22, 2013. 6 out of the elevenGamgebelis were hired on the basis of a competition, while Acting Gamgebelis were appointed in

four municipalities. Sakrebulo appointed Acting Gamgebeli of Gurjaani without announcing acompetition. As to Sakrebulo Chairpersons in Kutaisi and Khoni, both resigned after submitting

letters of resignation for personal reasons.

Dmanisi after announcement of a competition for a vacant position of Gamgebeli, applications

were reviewed through March 13. Applicants were interviewed by a committee set up by Sakrebuloand composed of five Sakrebulo members. Candidacy of Gogi Barbakadze who served as an Acting

Gamgebeli was selected following a competition.

On March 26, Sakrebulo Members voted for the new Gamgebeli of Dmanisi Municipality Gogi

Barbakadze.

Kutaisi on February 27 Sakrebulo Chairman Amiran Khvadagiani willingly resigned. At the

meeting he stated that he was contemplating resignation prior to the elections and now he had madethe decision after having exhausted his resources as a chairperson. Head of the legal committee and

a member of the UNM, Tamaz Margvelashvili, was elected as the new chairperson. He used to serve

as deputy chairperson for previous Sakrebulo and was holding the position of the legal committee

chairperson. His candidacy was supported by 16 members of Sakrebulo out of 24, while eightopposed to his candidacy. Members of the opposition explain that as long as representative of the

UNM is replaced with another for the position of Sakrebulo Chairperson, these changes will be

meaningless.

Tsalka on February 27 Joni Sabadzes candidacy for the position of Tsalka MunicipalityGamgebeli was supported by 30 members of Sakrebulo, two abstained. Sabadzes appointment wasprotested. A group of the Georgian Dreams activists opposed to his candidacy while another group

declared their support. Those against the candidacy stated that Joni Sabadze used to serve as the

head of Tsalka security service for years. An incident occurred outside the office of Gamgeoba, inwhich opponents and supporters of Joni Sabadze clashed but no physical confrontation ensued. Joni

Sabadze is a member of the Georgian Dream and he joined the party two months before he was

appointed as Gamgebeli.


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Dusheti the deadline for submission of applications for consideration in a competition announced

for the opening of Gamgebeli was February 18. There were total of 10 applications submitted. The

committee interviewed candidates on February 25 and nominated an active supporter of theGeorgian Dream, Vazha Chokheli as a candidate for the position of Sakrebulo Gamgebeli. He was

given a two-week term for submitting necessary paperwork in Sakrebulo.

On March 22 Sakrebulo put the candidacy of Vazha Chokheli to the vote. In a secret voting 14

members of Sakrebulo out of 25 supported the candidacy and Vazha Chokheli was approved for theposition of Municipality Gamgebeli.

Akhaltsikhe on March 6, three-month term of Acting Gamgebeli Besik Khitarishvili expired.

Under para.4, Article 39 of the law on local self-government, his deputy Tamar Gogoladze was

appointed as interim Gamgebeli.

On March 11, Sakrebulo Chairperson presented head of Akhaltsikhe Prison Besik Bliadze as the

new Acting Gamgebeli. His candidacy was approved by a 24-1 vote in Sakrebulo.

Former chairperson of Sakrebulo, Malkhaz Gikoshvili protested against appointment of actingGamgebeli at the Sakrebulo meeting. Oleg Sandroshvili explained that appointment of Gamgebeli

was delayed as Sakrebulo first needed to approve competition regulations that required going

through certain legal procedures. The regulations will be approved after going through theseprocedures. A committee for competition/certification will be set up afterwards and all public

servants will be appointed based on a competition.

Ambrolauri on February 8, Municipality Gamgebeli Levan Jmukhadze submitted a letter of

resignation. His letter was approved on February 13. The same day representative of the coalitionGeorgian Dream, Aslan Saganelidze was appointed as Acting Gamgebeli by absolute majority of

votes of Sakrebulo members present. There was no competition announced.

Khoni on February 13, members of the UNM Robert Rukhadze was voted for as a new

chairperson of Sakrebulo. His candidacy was supported by 16 out of 17 Sakrebulo members present.

Gurjaani during Sakrebulo meeting on March 7, Akaki Osiashvili was appointed as Gamgebeli.

His candidacy was supported by absolute majority of votes (total of 19). He had been appointed asActing Gamgebeli since December 10, 2012. Gurjaani Gamgebeli was appointed without

announcing a competition.

Kvareli on March 15, a competition was announced for the opening of Gamgebeli. The deadline

for submission of applications was March 24. There were total of 118 applications submitted and

examined on March 27 during a meeting of a competition committee. There were 9 candidatesshortlisted for an interview with the committee. The committee will select a candidate and present

him/her to Sakrebulo.

Acting Gamgebeli Davit Kevkhishvili is one of the candidates that participate in the competition. He

was nominated by the Georgian Dream for the position of Kvareli majoritarian MP for theparliamentary elections in which he gained 46.08% of votes and beaten by incumbent Marika

Verulashvili who gained 805 more votes.

On April 16, according to the Competition Commission's decision only David Kevkhishvili moved

to the third stage of competition out of the 6 candidates. The next meeting of the Commission was

held on April 18. David Kevkhishvili answered the questions of commission members, after which


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the members of commission voted. According to the decision of the commission candidacy of

Kevkhishvili will be presented to the Sakrebulo.

Baghdati March 18 extraordinary meeting started with a little noise, as Sakrebulo Chairperson

Gia Robakidze demanded that journalists did not record the meeting for they had no right to.However, after consulting with Sakrebulo lawyer, the problem was eliminated and the meeting

continued as usual. There was a single issue up for discussion during the meeting appointment ofnew Gamgebeli. Former Gamgebeli Davit Tabeshadze submitted letter of resignation on February 1,2013. On February 4 Sakrebulo approved his resignation letter, while on February 7 it approved

regulations and composition of competition committee. The deadline for submission of applications

for the position of Gamgebeli was February 27. Eventually the candidacy of Mevlud Kiknavelidzewas chosen. At March 18 meeting absolute majority of Sakrebulo members present (18) at the

meeting voted for the new Gamgebeli. Mevlud Kiknavelidze is not affiliated with any party.

Khelvachauri on March 18 Levan Lortkipanidze resigned from his position of Municipality

Gamgebeli. After his arrest court granted the motion of the prosecution for his resignation. DeputyGamgebeli was also dismissed based on a letter of resignation for personal reasons. He was arrested

together with Gamgebeli on March 13 by officers of the agency for combating corruption. Acting

Gamgebeli has been appointed.

Senaki on March 19 Sakrebulo chairperson motioned for impeachment of Gamgebeli without

raising the issue beforehand with the bureau. The motion was put to the vote and supported by fourmembers of Sakrebulo, 21 voted against. Following the meeting there were certain comments made

about recent vote, which grew into a noise. Gamgebeli offered Sakrebulo Chairperson his

resignation provided Sakrebulo Chairperson resigned as well.

Borjomi a competition was announced for the opening of Gamgebeli. Meeting of competition

committee was held on March 15, during which the committee shortlisted 14 candidates out of 46.Only six of them appeared for an interview scheduled on March 15. The meeting during registration

was open but after registration it was closed to public. They did not allow anyone but members ofthe committee. After two persons withdrew their candidacy, the committee interviewed remaining 4.Two of them were members of the Georgian Dream, one was Acting Gamgebeli from the

Republican Party and the fourth candidate was non-partisan.

March 22 Sakrebulo meeting was attended by 17 members of Sakrebulo, 16 of whom voted for

Dimitri Beridze and approved his candidacy for the position of chairperson. Dimitri Beridze is a

candidate of the Georgian Dream and he received most points from the competition committee. Atthe very same meeting it was stated that a competition will be announced in the nearest future for

staffing all departments of the municipality. There will be a competition committee set up under the

leadership of Sakrebulo chairperson. The latter was tasked with appointment of committee members

as prescribed by law.

Gardabani on March 20, following a two-day protest rallies Gardabani Gamgebeli Zviad

Epitashvili submitted a letter of resignation. The district is now governed by Acting Governor Levan

Khutsishvili who served as the head of the coalition Georgian Dreams office in Gardabani during

pre-election period. Sakrebulo approved his candidacy with absolute majority of votes.

According to the deputy chairperson of Gardabani Sakrebulo, no pressure has been mounted against

the former Gamgebeli. My predecessor Mr.Zviad had already decided to leave the office. He


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appointed Mr.Gela as his deputy and resigned. Therefore, we now voted for Gela Khutsishvili as his

replacement, stated Khanakhmed Garibov.14

Khulo- On April 12, acting Gamgebeli Davit Chelidze submitted a letter of resignation. Sakrebulomeeting was held on April 16, where Guram Khozrevanidze was elected as new Gamgebeli. Session

was attended by 19 deputies and all of them supported the candidacy. Guram Khozrevanidze was

head of Georgian Dream coalition office in pre-election period.

2. Protest rallies staged in municipalities with participants demanding resignation of

officials

During the reporting period protest rallies with the demand of resignation of officials were staged intotal of 18 municipalities. In four cases the protest turned illegal by expression of physical violence,

blocking offices of Gamgeoba and invading buildings.

Kareli on February 4, population of Tighvi community staged a protest rally outside the

administrative building of Kareli. They were protesting against appointment of Spartak Petriashvili

as trustee of Tighvi community, demanding appointment of Gocha Kharauli instead. Participantsaccused Kareli Majoritarian MP Leri Khabelov of lobbying in favor of Spartak Petriashvili. Up to

two hundred participants were demanding a meeting with representatives of Leri Khabelovs bureau

but they were absent.

Senaki on February 8, supporters of the Georgian Dream staged a rally outside Sakrebulo,demanding appointment of Gocha Bokuchava by Sakrebulo. They said that Sakrebulo Chairperson

was personally and principally against his candidacy. There were up to 300 participants of the rally.

No excesses were reported.

Ninotsminda on February 12, the coalition Georgian Dream organized a protest rally. Participants

demanded resignation of Sakrebulo Chairperson, Gamgebeli and the President. Gogla Zhvania,former head of the Akhalkalaki office of the Georgian Dream and Bezhan Gunava, former head of

the Georgian Dreams office in Ninotsminda were among the rally participants. Number of

participants was 150-200. They gave ten days to municipal authorities for meeting their

requirements.

Akhalkalaki on February 12 supporters of the coalition Georgian Dream staged a rally outside the

building of Sakrebulo, demanding resignation of Sakrebulo Chairperosn, Gamgebeli and the

President. Gogla Zhvania, former head of the Akhalkalaki office of the Georgian Dream and Bezhan

Gunava, former head of the Georgian Dreams office in Ninotsminda were among the rallyparticipants. Number of participants was 150-200. They gave ten days to municipal authorities for

meeting their requirements.

On February 15 supporters of the UNM staged a rally against replacement of Gamgebeli and

Sakrebulo members. The rally had around 650-700 participants.

Aspindza permanent small-scale rallies were held in February for supporting various candidates

for the position of Gamgebeli but current Gamgebeli is still in office.

14http://www.kkpress.ge/index.php?do=fullmod/news&id=717
http://www.kkpress.ge/index.php?do=fullmod/news&id=717http://www.kkpress.ge/index.php?do=fullmod/news&id=717http://www.kkpress.ge/index.php?do=fullmod/news&id=717http://www.kkpress.ge/index.php?do=fullmod/news&id=717


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Tsalka in February rallies were held almost on a weekly basis, where participants protested

against candidates for the position of Gamgebeli. Rallies had up to hundred participants who

identified themselves as supporters of the coalition Georgian Dream.

On February 27, activists of the Georgian Dream assembled outside Sakrebulo building. Some of

them protested appointment of Joni Sabadze as Gamgebeli, while others supported his candidacy.

There was a confrontation between supporters and opponents of Joni Sabadzes candidacy. They got

into a clash and verbal confrontation.

Kutaisi on February 19 members of the coalition Transparent Government held a token rallyoutside the administrative building, demanding resignation of Mayor Besik Bregadze. They also

demanded that Kutaisi Sakrebulo act on violations in the City Hall. Participants were calling for

immediate resignation of Kutaisi Mayor and Sakrebulo Chairperson, explaining that Mayor shouldbe appointed as a result of a competition. Members of the Transparent Self-Government announced

that they would stage large-scale rallies starting from February 21 in Kutaisi with the demand for

resignation of the Mayor. If Sakrebulo acts inadequately in response to our requirements, these

requirements will also apply to them, - noted members of the Coalition, Managadze.15

February 27 Sakrebulo meeting was preceded by a strained day. According to unofficial reports,some members of Sakrebulo were going to leave the UNM, which suggested that Sakrebulo meeting

would be the focus of extraordinary attention. The coalition addressed Sakrebulo with a request to

make a speech during the meeting. They had been given passes to the building. The coalition wasplanning a rally outside the building of the self-government, after which they were going to get

inside the building for the meeting. As the room was already full, some were not let inside to attend

the meeting. They attempted to get inside anyways but intercepted by Sakrebulo employees and

security officers.

No excesses were reported during the meeting, and participants were able to discuss all issues on the

agenda. The meeting was led by Sakrebulo Chairperson Amiran Khvadagiani who made a statement

at the end of the meeting.

On March 4 employees of local self-government held a token rally near Kutaisi City Hall. The rally

was attended by Mayor Besik Bregadze and Deputy Mayor Amiran Dzotsenidze. Participants wereprotesting against interference in activities of the local self-government. According to the Deputy

Mayor Dzotsenidze, if the office of the prosecutor continues questioning of City Hall employees, it

will no longer be able to operate and the city will be paralyzed.16

On April 12, Kutaisi Sakrebulo dismissed Kutaisi Mayor Besik Bregadze. The motion for

impeachment was raised by the Georgian Dream and members of the Sakrebulo that had left theUNM. The motion was supported by 14 members of Sakrebulo and opposed by 5. Bregadze was

appointed by Sakrebulo as Kutaisi Mayor on October 8, 2012, when the UNM constituted majority

in Sakrebulo. At the meeting they played anthem of the Soviet Union and hung up a caricature ofGocha Tevdoradze, former Deputy Governor of Imereti that had resigned several days before. At the

meeting they set up a committee for nominating a candidate for the position of Mayor.

15http://info9.ge/?l=G&m=1000&id=13563

16http://info9.ge/?l=G&m=1000&id=14480
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Akhalgori on February 20 a protest rally was staged in Tserovani IDP settlement, requesting

resignation of Gamgebeli Levan Pitskhelauri, Up to 100 participants were leveling accusations

against Pirtskhelauri, demanding appointment of Nugzar Odishvili instead. Participants includedsupporters of Zurab Gatenashvili, who sought the position of Akhalgori Gamgebeli. He stated that

Odishvili had no right to run Akhalgori.

As to supporters of Zurab Gatenashvili, they maintained that Nugzar Odishvili, former Gamgebeli of

Tskhratskaro who also served as the head of Akhalgori Revenue Service, had been involved infinancial violations and therefore, his appointment was completely unacceptable. The protest rally

lasted an hour and a half.17

Kaspi on February 21, a rally was staged outside Sakrebulo building with the demand for

resignation of Sakrebulo Chairperson and his deputy. Participants accused Mesropashvili andGogolauri of misspending Kaspi District Budget. They demanded the officials to resign within three

days; otherwise, they threatened to stage large-scale rallies. Mesropashvili and Gogolauri have

rejected the accusations and refuse to fulfill demands of the rally participants.

On February 22 up to hundred supporters of the coalition Georgian Dream assembled outside

Sakrebulo with same demand. The rally was attended by member of Sakrebulo KhatunaTatanashvili and Mikheil Zerekidze who had resigned from his position as a chairperson of the legal

committee a week before, after submitting a letter of resignation for personal reasons.

Another protest rally outside Kaspu Municipality Gamgeoba was staged on March 15, where

participants demanded that Kaspi Gamgebeli Oleg Iadze apologize and resign. Later participantsrelocated to Sakrebulo, this time demanding resignation of Sakrebulo Chairperson and his deputy.

Neither Oleg Iadze nor Sakrebulo authorities responded to the rally or made any comments in press.

Gurjaani in the second half of February rallies protesting against appointment of Besik

Zirakishvili, member of the coalition Georgian Dream, as Naniani Village Trustee were staged in

the village. Participants demanded his resignation and appointment of the coalition Georgian

Dreams supporter Nino Prodiashvili instead. Supporters of the trustee stated that Besik Zirakashvilihad greatly contributed to the winning of the Georgian Dream. Zirakishvili himself accused the

UNM of provoking the confrontation.

Gardabani on February 27 a protest rally was organized by representatives of the GeorgianDream outside offices of Gamgeoba. The rally participants included supporters of the Georgian

Dream that had arrived from almost all villages of Gardabani Municipality, around 250 people.

Member of the Georgian Dream Amiran Totikashvili declared that he was going to pursue the office

of Gardabani Gamgebeli, adding that all senior-level positions in Gardabani should have been heldby members of the coalition. Participants were upset by arrival of Gela Khutsishvili, Georgian

Dreams member at the rally. ISFED coordinator reported that members and supporters of the

Georgian Dream in Gardabani were divided into two opposing camps. Gela Khutsishvili urgedparticipants to stop rallying and not to interfere in the work of Gamgebeli and Gamgeoba.

Participants were intimidated by his announcement.

On March 18 another protest rally was held outside Gardabani Gamgeoba. Participants demanded

replacement of Gamgebeli and solving land problems in the village of Lemeshveniera. The rally was

organized by supporters of the Georgian Dream and its participants included the population of

17http://qartli.ge/web/10431
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Gardabani villages (Nagebi, Lemshveniera, Jandara, Kapanachkhi), up to 200 people. Participants

blocked the entrance to Gamgeoba building and did not let anyone inside. The situation escalated

between the police and protesters. Police occupied the entrance to the building. Participantsdemanded dismissal of Gamgebeli Zviad Epitashvili and his replacement with a representative of the

coalition Georgian Dream, Gela Khutsishvili.

Population of Vakhtangisi Village staged a rally outside Gamgeoba on April 5 in support of village

trustee Marina Iremashvili. According to participants, Acting Gamgebeli Gela Khutsishvilidemanded that the village trustee submit a letter of resignation. The trustee herself declared that

Gamgebeli demanded she resign on a number of occasions, which she refused to. Gela Khutsishvili

met with participants and denied the accusations.

Borjomi Sakrebulo extraordinary meeting was held on February 28. A week before, 1/3 ofSakrebulo members motioned for announcing a competition for the position of Gamgebeli. Davit

Kamikadze was serving as Acting Gamgebeli at that time.

ISFEDs district coordinator, who was attending the meeting, reported that there were no

disturbances during the meeting. However, participants were very few as many people had

assembled outside the building. Some supported resignation of Gamgebeli and announcement ofcompetition, others opposed the idea.

Police had to interfere to free the building from the population; nevertheless, ISFEDs district

coordinator reported that verbal confrontation did not grew into a clash.

Adigeni MP Bidzina Gujabidze arrived in Adigeni on March 4 to meet with the population. Local

population blocked his way, not letting him inside the Culture House where he was supposed tomeet with the population. They were protesting about the fact that some did not receive

compensation for the work that they did during pre-election campaign of the Georgian Dream.

Bidzina Gujabidze himself blamed it on the UNM and declared that everyone had received due

payments.

Population believed Gujabidze should not interfere in municipal business. He managed to get intothe Culture House and during his meeting with the population he discussed problems that affect the

municipality. He promised to take care of the problems of drinking water and gas supply. Gujabidze

also noted that Adigeni self-government officials should have enough courage to resign. At the end

of the meeting protesters blocked his way out but the situation deescalated after police interfered.

According to Tinatin Gogrichiani, representative of the bureau of the Georgian Dreams office, the

population was misled by Gujabidze. He had promised to name a candidate during the meeting but

he did not. The meeting was organized by representatives of two parties European Democrats and

Conservators, whereas representatives of the Georgian Dreams office in Adigeni did not attend [themeeting]. Population was brought form Abastumani and Akhaltsikhe [to attend the meeting], - said

Gogrichiani.

Sagarejo March 14, 2013 rally staged outside Gamgeoba in Manavi Village had 40 participants

demanding dismissal of the newly appointed trustee of Manavi, Tamar Azarashvili. Some of therally participants alleged that data compiled by Azarashvili and her husband when they headed the

commission for victims of natural disaster was inaccurate. They recorded that 60% of their

vineyards had been destroyed, while we received nothing as compensation. According to Manavi


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Trustee herself, rally participants are members of the UNM and they are also protesting against

appointment of a woman as a trustee.

ISFEDs coordinator personally attended the rally and interviewed Tamar Azarashvili. The latternoted that the rally had grown violent and that she was not let inside her office in the morning as

participants were blocking the entrance. Tamar Azarashvili is a representative of the Georgian

Dream and she was involved in the pre-election campaign.

Khelvachauri a rally in support of Gamgebeli Levan Lortkipanidze was staged in Khelvachauri

on March 18. Participants were saying that Lortkipanidze was an honest man who had always beenfighting for truth and that he enjoyed public trust. After his arrest on March 13 by officers of anti-

corruption agency, he appeared at work for the first time on March 18. After hailing his supporters

assembled outside the building, he made comments for journalists and said that he was ready to

answer questions of the investigating authorities, if any.18

Khulo a rally staged outside Municipality Gamgeoba on March 20 had 100-150 participants,mostly activists of the Georgian Dream. Head of the coalitions district office in Khulo, Ramaz

Dzirkvadze was also present at the rally for some time. Participants demanded resignation of

Gamgebeli and meeting with him. They were promised that Gamgebeli would meet them but henever did. Participants tried to get inside the building but they were intercepted by the police.

Ozurgeti on April 1, dwellers of a small town of Laitauri nailed up the door of trustees office.

Protesters demanded dismissal of the trustee and his deputies. According to Marina Abashidze of

Daba Laitauri, by nailing up the door they expressed their protest against Laitauri being ruled bymembers of the UNM. They have been in power for nine years already but they have not done

anything for dwellers of Laitauri. We refuse to live in a swamp. We demand appointment of the

Georgian Dreams coordinator as trustee. According to one of the protesters, Anzor Abashidze,population of Laitauri had met with Gamgebeli of Ozurgeti Municipality a month before to voice

their demands but Gamgebeli never lived up to his promise. Instead, they are planning to replace

current trustee by another representative of the UNM; more precisely, by a person who used to serve

as a coordinator of the UNM in the town of Laitauri. Participants are demanding a meeting with MPZviad Kvachantiradze. If he refuses to come and meet thepopulation, we will not allow the trustee

and his deputies to continue working, protesters declared.19

Marneuli on April 1 there were two simultaneous rallies staged in Marneuli. First was held

outside the municipal building and had 40 participants who demanded resignation of MarneuliGamgebeli Paata Abramishvili and his deputy Tamaz Enukidze. The rally had been organized by a

former political prisoner, Badri Kveladze, who stated that a person serving as Gamgebeli of

Marneuli must be from the local population. Participants also protested against the fact that the new

municipal authorities were trying to intimidate Azerbaijani population. The rally lasted for half an

hour. No one from the authorities approached them to talk.

18http://www.interpressnews.ge/ge/regioni/233195-khelvachaurshi-gamgeblis-mkhardasatceri-aqcia-

gaimartha.html?ar=A

19http://www.interpressnews.ge/ge/regioni/234821-laithuris-mosakhleobam-rtsmunebuls-karebi-autceda.html
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Another protest rally was held outside the office of the Georgian Dream. Members and activists of

the coalition assembled in support of Gamgebeli and his deputy, rejecting the allegations. According

to Deputy Gamgebeli Tamaz Enukidze, the accusations are absurd as the new Gamgebeli and histeam are pro-new government, actively implementing all projects that the central authorities are

carrying out in the regions.

3. Staff Changes in Self-Governments

This report features information requested by ISFED about persons dismissed during the period

from October 1, 2012 to February 28, 2013. The information suggests that total of 1877 employeeswere dismissed, including 425 trustees of territorial agencies. There were mass changes of trustees

in 34 municipalities, frequently preceded by meetings with Gamgebeli. Staff changes occurred in 55

Gamgeobas and 26 Sakrebulos in 69 municipalities.

Sagarejo total of 46 employees were dismissed from Gamgeoba during the period from October

1, 2012 through January 31, 2013. Dismissals mostly affected heads of departments and deputy

trustees of territorial agencies. Dismissed employees also include 18 trustees of territorial agencies.

There were the following five additional employees dismissed in February: two deputy trustees of

Patardzeuli, Manavi Trustee, chief specialist of military registration and conscription service, and

head of a non-profit legal entity Sagarejo Satnoeba.

It was exposed that the newly appointed trustee of Manavi Village had perpetrated abuse of power

by orchestrating illegal cutting of trees in the village.

Ilia Kuchuashvili, dismissed from his position as a director of the non-profit legal entity

Sagarejo Satnoeba, on the basis of Articles 78, 79 and 99 of the Law of Georgia on Public

Service, says that he was demanded to submit a letter of resignation but he refused to as he

had not committed any official violations. Ilia Kuchuashvili first applied to Georgian Young

Lawyers Association for legal aid but later he changed his mind and informed Marekh

Mgaloblishvili, head of GYLAs office in Kakheti that he did not trust GYLA for its ties with

Tina Khidasheli.

ISFED learned that on March 29, 2013, 30 employees were dismissed under the order of SagarejoMunicipality Gamgebeli Giorgi Loladze on grounds of reorganization. They allege that the

dismissals have been politically motivated. Notably, their replacements have already been appointed

without having to go through a competition. The dismissed employees allege that their replacements

have been hired based on their political affiliation.

ISFED responded to these developments by releasing a special statement and requesting additional

information from the municipality.20

There were total of four employees dismissed from Gurjaani Municipality Sakrebulo, includingSakrebulo Chairperson, chief of staff, a counselor and a specialist. Three of them were appointed to

a different office. According to official report, there have been total of 114 employees dismissed,

20 ISFEDs statement is available athttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_04_04(1).pdf
http://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_04_04(1).pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_04_04(1).pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_04_04(1).pdfhttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_04_04(1).pdf


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including heads of Gamgeoba departments, specialists of Gamgeoba and territorial agency, and 14

trustees of territorial agency.

5 specialists of Arashenda Village, Kalauri, Mukuzani and Gurjaani territorial agencies, specialists

of fire department and rescue service have been dismissed.

Hiring of new employees after the dismissals was based on personal relationships or party

affiliation, without announcing a competition. According to Deputy Gamgebeli ZurabDaneliashvili, competitions for all positions in Gurjaani Municipality will be announced in July.

Total of 92 employees have been dismissed from Sighnaghi Sakrebulo and Gamgeoba. 42

employees, including 10 trustees of territorial agencies, were dismissed on the basis of letters ofresignation. Gamgebeli has dismissed 36 employees after expiration of term of their contracts. 4

employees of Sakrebulo Office have been dismissed on the basis of letters of resignation, while 7

freelance contractors were dismissed for expiration of contract term. Some of the dismissed

employees have been appointed to other offices.

Head of the civil services and correspondence department of Sighnaghi Municipality was dismissedon February 25, based on para.4, Article 99 of the Law of Georgia on Public Service (i.e. for

skipping work arbitrarily for more than 5 days). The dismissed employee is a member of the UNM.

Two employees of the non-commercial legal entity Elementary Education Service were dismissed

for expiration of term of their contracts.

19 employees of Gamgeoba in Dediplistskaro Municipality have been dismissed, includingdepartment heads and specialists, as well as department heads and specialists of Sakrebulo. Further,

13 trustees have resigned. Head of the educational resource center in Dedoplistskaro resigned on

December 3, after submitting a letter of resignation for personal reasons. Acting head has been

appointed.

Three additional freelancers were dismissed in February, while 9 employees of pre-school andoutside-of-school educational center were dismissed, including director, assistant teacher, cleaning

crew, driver, watchman and two specialists. All of them were dismissed on the basis of letters of

resignation submitted willingly, while new employees were hired based on party affiliation or

family ties.

ISFEDs coordinator met with a former employee of the educational center who talked about

how she was forced into writing a resignation letter. On February 7 she submitted a letter

requesting a dismissal on grounds of reorganization. He was contacted by Deputy Gamgebeli

in a week and asked to change the text and indicate family reasons instead. She submitted

another letter but refused to indicate any grounds at all for resignation, as she was no longer

willing to resign.

Deputy Gamgebeli, chief specialist in the office of Sakrebulo and specialist in the office of trustee

were dismissed in Lagodekhi. Deputy Gamgebeli submitted a letter of resignation willingly, citinghealth reasons, while Sakrebulo trustee indicated change of job as the reason. Further, there

were 3 trustees dismissed, including one based on court ruling and two resigned willingly.

Deputy Head of a non-profit legal entity, Union of Libraries was dismissed and appointed to the

position of a specialist of the faction Independent in Sakrebulo.


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A specialist of standing committee for property rights were dismissed in Sakrebulo. Under the

February 1, 2013 order of Sakrebulo Chairperson Davit Bakashvili, dismissed specialist was

appointed to the position of acting assistant to Sakrebulo Chairperson.

Specialist/consultant of social affairs committee was appointed as a specialist of a standing

committee for recognition of property rights under the order of Davit Bakashvili N16.

There were 19 employees dismissed from Kvareli Gamgeoba, including four deputies ofGamgebeli. 14 freelancers at offices of trustees had their contracts expired without renewal.

There were two specialists of the office of trustees dismissed in February as well as a chief specialist

of the department for economic development and management of local property. All three submitted

letters of resignation for personal reasons.

31 employees of Telavi territorial agency were dismissed in addition to 24 employees of Gamgeoba,

mostly deputy Gamgebelis and specialists. There were six officials dismissed in Governors

administration, including two Deputy Governors and four acting department heads.

All trustees in Telavi submitted letters of resignation for personal reasons; however, they state that it

was Gamgebeli who demanded their resignation. The trustees were informed that they wereplanning to hold a competition in which they would be able to participate and hold their former

positions if they met the criteria. Gamgebeli himself refuses allegations of pressuring the trustees

into resignation, saying that the only reason they were dismissed was the fact that new trustees were

to be appointed by the committee.

Specialist of steering department of Sakrebulos office was dismissed in February, followed by

dismissal of two more specialists of Gamgeoba and 8 specialists of territorial agency. They did not

announce a competition for hiring. Total of 111 employees have been dismissed.

Two violations were reported in Telavi Municipality Gamgeoba. In particular, on January 21

a five-month pregnant Elene Berdzenishvili was dismissed from her position as a specialist of

legal affairs service. She says that at work she had informed everyone that needed to be

informed of her pregnancy. After her dismissal she submitted necessary paperwork and a

photo from ultrasonography confirming that she was 20 weeks pregnant but they suggested

she restore the justice through court. Her interests are defended by Georgian Young Lawyers

Association. During a trial held on March 15, judge rejected her claim. Elene Berdzenishvili is

going to file in the Appellate Court.

Another case involves Nona Gomelauri, who is five months pregnant and used to work as

assistant to the trustee of Telavi territorial agency. She explains that Trustee Alika

Rostiashvili demanded she submit a letter of resignation. On March 4 Nona Gomelauri was

dismissed from work based on her own letter of resignation.

There were 27 employees dismissed from Akhmeta Gamgeoba based on their own letters of

resignation. The dismissed employees mostly included Deputy Gamgebelis, specialists, departmentheads and 7 trustees of territorial agencies. There were 10 employees dismissed from Akhmeta

Sakrebulo head of the Sakrebulo office and specialists. Starting from 2013, total of five employees

have been dismissed for disciplinary violation, including specialists and a trustee of Akhmeta

territorial agency.


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Following optimization in Akhmeta municipality kindergartens, only 333 out of 538 employees

could maintain their jobs while remaining 205 were dismissed.

Additional 24 employees were dismissed in Akhmeta in February based on their own letters ofresignation. The dismissed employees included two department heads, specialists at offices of

Gamgeoba and territorial agencies and two village trustees, total of 283 people.

There were 7 employees dismissed in Akhalkalaki, mostly specialists of territorial agency. All ofthem wrote letters of resignation willingly. Only two of them had their contracts expired. Further,

principal of Akhalkalaki high school resigned willingly.

14 people were dismissed in Akhaltsikhe Gamgeoba, mostly deputy Gamgebelis, Gamgeobaspecialists and department heads. One specialist was dismissed upon expiration of contract.

Territorial agency trustees were also replaced. Rector of Akhaltsikhe University also resigned and

the head of non-profit legal entity Union of Pre-school Institutes of Akhaltsikhe was also dismissed.

A competition was announced for hiring new employees. On March 1, 2013, kindergartens hired 37

new employees.

In early February head of Amelioration Ltd. Vasil Ivanidze was dismissed based on his own letter of

resignation.

Following the October 1, 2012 elections there were two new employees appointed in Sakrebulo and

33 new employees appointed in Gamgeoba, mostly deputy Gamgebelis, specialists and trustees of

territorial agencies.

Reorganization was launched in Akhalkalaki Gamgeoba in early April. On April 10 all employees of

Gamgeoba submitted letters of resignation. A competition for various openings will probably be

held in late April. Former employees are also expected to participate in the competition. According

to Gamgebeli, no one will be left jobless and the number of staff will not be increased artificially.

Two employees of Adigeni Gamgeoba were dismissed based on their own letters of resignation.One position was abolished and a new employee was hired for another. Staff changes did not affect

trustees. In April there were four more employees dismissed from Gamgeoba, including three for

reductions in staff.

Head and two specialists of agricultural department in Ninotsminda Gamgeoba were dismissedfrom work for staff reductions. Two specialists of legal office in Sakrebulo submitted letters of

resignation for personal reasons.

The following four employees ofBorjomi Gamgeoba submitted letters of resignation: two deputy

Gamgebelis, department head and a specialist. Trustee of Khuta, one of the eleven territorial

agencies in Borjomi District was replaced.

A committee for competition was set up in Borjomi, as all employees will have to first go through

the competition to maintain their positions.

Three deputy Gamgebelis have been dismissed in Khashuri, in addition to department head,

specialists and a driver. All 13 trustees of Khashuri territorial agency submitted letters of

resignation. They have been appointed on probation. A competition committee was set up in

Khashuri for hiring new employees and holding tests.


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2 employees ofKareli Municipality Sakrebulo and 19 employees of Gamgeoba were dismissed on

based on their own letters of resignation. Acting Gamgebeli refused to make public the identity of

dismissed employees and their positions; however, after submitting an application21

ISFED wasprovided with complete information about the dismissed employees. 19 employees dismissed from

Gamgeoba based on their own letters of resignation include deputy Gamgebeli and specialists of the

territorial agency.

One employee of Gori Sakrebulo was dismissed on the basis of his own letter of resignation.According to official report, two employees head of a department and head of a service have

been dismissed on the basis of their own letters of resignation.

Total of 68 people have been dismissed from the office of Gamgeoba, including 23 trustees, mostly

department heads and specialists. On January 8, Acting Gamgebeli of Gori Municipality PapunaKoberidze held a meeting with village trustees and demanded they submit letters of resignation.

Some of the twenty-nine trustees submitted letters the same day, others submitted afterwards. They

were replaced by representatives of the coalition Georgian Dream.

Total of 53 employees ofKaspi Municipality have been dismissed and 73 new have been hired. All

three Deputy Gamgebelis as well as heads of departments have been replaced. No one at Sakrebulohas been dismissed; however, they did hire three new freelancers. All 17 village trustees have been

dismissed; two of them have been appointed as specialists.

The union of pre-school institutes of Kaspi Municipality has hired 20 new employees and dismissed

six upon expiration of labor contracts.

Three principals of five kindergartens in Kaspi have been replaced, while a new office of assistantwas created and appointed at kindergarten N4. Further, ISFEDs coordinator reported appointment

of the Georgian Dreams members in kindergartens for part-time positions, while kindergarten

employees had their salaries reduced by half.

The union of museums has dismissed one and hired five new employees. Libraries have dismissedtwo and hired two new employees. The union of sports establishments has dismissed one and hiredtwo new employees. The union of cultural establishments has dismissed three and hired 10 new

employees. No one from the union of art schools has been fired but they did hire two new

employees.

According to official reports received from Kharagauli Municipality, the following five employeeshave been fired based on their own letters of resignation assistant to Gamgebeli, specialists and

two trustees. Some employees of Sakrebulo and Gamgeoba were appointed to different positions

within these agencies in February; further, head of FC Chkherimela was dismissed. According to

February 25 reports, all twenty village trustees were dismissed.

There were 23 employees dismissed in Sachkhere municipality. Staff changes were reported inGamgeoba and Sakrebulo as well. On October 30, twelve out of thirteen community trustees of

Sachkhere submitted letters of resignation. Trustee of Sairkhi Community only was able to maintain

his position as, according to other trustees, he is on close terms with the coalition. However, hiscontract expired on December 31, without extension According to these trustees, representatives of

21 ISFEDs statement is available athttp://isfed.ge/pdf/2013_03_26.pdf
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the coalition have warned them that new trustees would be appointed now that the new government

came into power. However, the trustees are reluctant to provide any names.

According to an official letters received from Gamgeoba, three specialists of the territorial agency,Deputy Gamgebeli, two department heads and two specialists have been dismissed on the basis of

their own resignation letters. Two chairmen of Sakrebulo committees were dismissed on the basis of

resignation letters.

97 employees have been dismissed in Chiatura. According to a written response received from

Gamgeoba, 41 employees were dismissed before January 1 based on expiration of labor contracts.Two of the dismissed employees worked as specialists of the sports and youth department and the

rest served as lead specialists of territorial agencies. 19 employees of Gamgeoba have been

dismissed on the basis of their own letters of resignation. 16 village trustees and 21 specialists also

resigned willingly. Only one had committed a disciplinary violation.

According to a written response received from Zestaponi Gamgeoba, 16 employees have beendismissed, including Deputy Gamgebeli, assistant to Gamgebeli, 8 department heads, 5 lead

specialists and trustees of Zestaponi territorial agency.

Further, head of the center for culture and creativity, sports school principal, head of the pre-school

education institute and head of the art school were replaced.

The following 7 employees of Khoni Gamgeoba were dismissed based on their own resignationletters: specialists, cleaners and fire fighters. Further, a lead specialist from Sakrebulo also resigned

at her own will.

No one has been dismissed in Samtredia Gamgeoba. To the contrary, Gamgebeli added new

positions, which the opposition was not happy about.

The following three employees dismissed from Tkibuli Gamgeoba: lead specialist of Mukhuri

Village territorial agency, Deputy Gamgebeli and head of supervising service, as well as head of the

kindergartens union.

Five territorial agency trustees submitted letters of resignation in February, citing personal reasons

as grounds. The following employees were dismissed on the basis of resignation letters: head of the

non-profit legal entity Tkibuli Sports Center on February 5, head of the fire department on February

6, head of the non-profit legal entity Tkibuli Sports Complex on February 19.

On January 13, 2013, agricultural service ofAmbrolauri Gamgeoba was liquidated; consequently,

three employees of the department were dismissed.

11 employees ofTsageri Gamgeoba were replaced due to reduction of staff and reinstatement of old

employees to work. Further, two village trustees were also replaced. Three village trustees thatbelieved to be illegally dismissed prior to the elections were reinstated to their former positions

through court.

Two specialists and Acting Trustee in Oni were dismissed based on letters of resignation for

personal reasons. Director of the Center for Culture was also dismissed after he submitted a letter of

resignation.


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Staff changes were reported in Zugdidi Gamgeoba. Competition was not announced for hiring. No

dismissals have been reported in Sakrebulo, whereas according to a written response of Gamgeoba,

following the October 1, 2012 elections five employees resigned willingly.

Staff changes were also reported in Abasha. Official information about these changes was released

on February 12. However, according to heads of Sakrebulo office and Gamgeoba office, staff

changes are temporary and the employees have been appointed on a short-term basis, before

competition is announced.

Three new acting Deputy Gamgebelis were appointed in Abasha. One of the former DeputyGamgebelis was appointed as acting head of the office of municipal property management and local

taxes; another was appointed as acting head of the office of sports and youth. Former head of

agricultural office was appointed as acting head of the office for economic development, statistics

and investments. The office acquired three different functions.

Head of Sakrebulos office of legal affairs and correspondence was replaced and appointed asDeputy Gamgebeli. Head of the social, education and culture committee was replaced and appointed

as Deputy Gamgebeli.

Staff changes are ongoing in Khobi Municipality. In particular, five specialists and two heads of

departments have been dismissed based on resignation letters. Further, 22 trustees submitted lettersof resignation and subsequently, new trustees have been appointed. Head of the kindergartens union

has been replaced.

Following staff changes in Chkhorotsku Sakrebulo, head of the office was dismissed, while three

Deputy Gamgebelis and four department heads were dismissed in Sakrebulo and replaced by actingDeputy Gamgebelis and department heads respectively. On February 18, head of the health and

social welfare office submitted a letter of resignation. He was replaced the same day by a

representative of the coalition Georgian Dream. The latter was appointed as acting head.

On January 28, head of administrative office submitted a letter of resignation and was replaced byan activist of the coalition Georgian Dream. The latter was appointed as acting head.

There was a single dismissal reported in Vani. Trustee of Salkhino Village community was replacedby his predecessor who was reinstated to his former position after being dismissed several months

before the October 1, 2012 elections.

Seven department heads and Deputy Gamgebeli in Lentekhi submitted letters of resignation.

Further, 7 trustees of territorial units have been dismissed. Four of these trustees believes that their

dismissals were politically motivated.

Following reorganization in Mestia, 70 employees have been dismissed. Following staff changes

after October 1, 2012, total of 12 employees were dismissed, including municipality Gamgebeli,assistant to Gamgebeli, two Deputy Gamgebelis, department heads and specialists. After the bureau

for serving citizens at the administrative office of Gamgeoba was abolished, two employees weredismissed. As a result of staff reductions, 15 trustees and 30 assistants to trustees were dismissed.

Following reorganization of structural units, 11 specialists were dismissed.

Four employees were dismissed in Tskaltubo Municipality Gamgeoba in February, including

Gamgeoba specialist and three employees of the office for agricultural development after the office

was abolished.


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Four employees of Gardabani municipality have been dismissed, including three based on their

own resignation letters, change of job and expiration of labor contract. New employees were hired

on the basis of a competition.

Nine persons willingly resigned in Marneuli municipality. 6 village trustees have also been

dismissed; all of them submitted resignation letters. However, the trustees have stated that they

resigned under pressure from the self-government. New employees to replace the dismissed ones

were hired on the basis of a competition; however, all of them are activists of the coalition GeorgianDream.

Two more employees of Gamgeoba were dismissed in February, as well as six village trustees and

10 specialists at trustees office. All of them submitted letters of resignation.

In Tetristskaro, head of Sakrebulo office as well as chief specialist were dismissed based on letters

of resignation. One specialist also quit to change her job.

The following 36 employees were dismissed in Dmanisi: 10 from Gamgeoba, 14 trustees and 12

specialists at trustees office. All of them had submitted letters of resignation. Notably, currentmajority of Sakrebulo members have submitted resignation letters due to replacement of Gamgebeli

and changes in Sakrebulo. No dismissals under pressure have been reported. Dismissed employees

have stated that dismissals and hirings have been biased and based on personal relationships.

Allegedly, new employees have mostly been hired for their party affiliation.

In February the following eight employees of Bolnisi Gamgeoba were dismissed Deputy

Gamgebeli and two assistants, department heads and the head of a non-profit legal entity, Bolnisi

Culture Center.

During the reporting period, resignation letters were submitted by territorial unit trustees and

specialists. In an interview with ISFEDs coordinator one of them stated that they were pressured

into writing resignation letters; however, none of them have yet been approved.

According to ISFEDs coordinator, there are lines of job seekers outside offices of Gamgebeli and

Sakrebulo Chairperson on a daily basis. There was one incident when intoxicated activists of the

Georgian Dream smashed windows of the party office and attempted to invade Gamgebelis officeon March 13-14. They said they did not trust Gamgebeli and demanded an explanation as to why he

was delaying the process of dismissing old employees and appointing supporters of the coalition

Georgian Dream instead.

Two employees ofMtskheta Gamgeoba and 22 trustees were dismissed after submitting letters of

resignation. Even though their own letters of resignation have been cited as grounds for thedismissals, trustees maintain that they were forced into resignation after Gamgebeli summoned them

and demanded that they act appropriately. None of the trustees have expressed any protest about the

foregoing developments.

Although no staff changes were reported in February, new employees were hired, mostly supportersof the Georgian Dream. According to Gamgebeli, this is a short-term measure as they are planning

to hold exams to determine which employees will stay in the municipality.

The following 5 employees were dismissed from Dusheti Gamgeoba: Deputy Gamgebeli,

department head and specialists. Three positions of a specialist were abolished.


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56 employees have been dismissed in Tanti Municipality. There were 25 employees dismissed from

Gamgeoba based on their own letters of resignation, while remaining three were dismissed for

disciplinary violation. One employee of Sakrebulo was dismissed after submitting a resignation

letter. Further, heads of kindergartens union and the culture center have been replaced.

All twelve trustees submitted letters of resignation, allegedly under pressure. Two specialists were

dismissed from trustees office, while the rest submitted letters of resignation. Hiring was based on

party affiliation.

12 employees were dismissed in Kazbegi Municipality, including Deputy Gamgebelis, departmentheads and specialists. According to ISFEDs coordinator, these persons were actively involved in

pre-election campaigning in favor of the UNM; however, lack of discipline has been cited as official

grounds for the dismissals. Hiring was based on party affiliation.

The following our employees were dismissed in February: a trustee, two department heads and a

head of information office.

Starting from October 1 through January 31, total of 5 specialists were dismissed in Khulo,including four on the basis of their own letters of resignation. On January 25, 2013, Sakrebulo

dismissed head of Khulo municipality kindergartens union, a non-profit legal entity, and announced

a competition for the opening.

Staff changes were reported in Shuakhevi Gamgeoba. Starting from October 1 through January 31total of seven employees resigned willingly, including assistant to Gamgebeli as well as heads of

departments within Gamgeoba. During the very same period, 11 village/community trustees also

submitted resignation letters, including 7 community trustees and 4 village trustees.

Starting from February 1 through February 28, total of 10 village trustees were dismissed on the

basis of resignation letters in Shuakhevi Municipality. All of them were replaced by acting trustees.Acting community trustees were also appointed in February. Notably, only two out of 9 community

trustees were able to maintain their positions.

On December 31, 2012, three Deputy Gamgebelis of Khelvachauri Municipality were dismissed

after submitting resignation letters.

On January 15, 2013, ten village trustees were dismissed based on a resignation letters. 35 villagetrustees, 9 organizers and two community trustees were dismissed in February based on resignation

letters. 26 of these people were dismissed the same day, on February 8, based on their own

resignation letters. As to new hirings, one community trustee, 29 village trustees, 9 community lead

specialists and 10 village organizers have already been appointed. According to Gamgeoba, hirings

were based on job applications submitted.

From October 1 through January 31, total of five employees of Gamgeoba were dismissed inKobuleti; in particular, Deputy Gamgebeli, head of department, specialist, trustee of Daba

Ochkhamuri and lead specialist of Khetsubani community. Dismissals were based on letters of

resignation or change of jobs.

On January 1, lead specialist in PR of Sakrebulos office was dismissed on the basis of resignationletter. Following staff changes in Gamgeoba, a new office of health and social welfare was set up

and acting head of the office was appointed.


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71 employees have been dismissed in Ozurgeti municipality. There was a single dismissal reported

in Sakrebulos office from October 1, 2012 through January 31, 2013. In particular, specialist in

public relations submitted a letter of resignation.

From October 1, 2012 through January 31, 2013, there were 13 employees dismissed from the office

of Gamgeoba (mostly specialists), 9 territorial agency specialists and 3 community trustees.

In February all employees of the non-profit legal entity Ozurgeti Cleaning Service were forced intosigning an application that stated the following: I have been informed of anticipated

reorganization. Head of the Cleaning Service Vladimer Salukvadze informed ISFEDs

coordinator that staff changes were anticipated.

From October 1, 2012 through April 13, 2013, 15 employees were dismissed from the non-profit

legal entity Ozurgeti Cleaning Service, including five based on their own resignation letters and ten

upon expiration of labor contracts. Dismissed employees include 5 janitors, 2 drivers and majority

were specialists. Dismissal of janitors is particularly noteworthy. Four out of the five janitors weredismissed on the basis of their own resignation letters, and one upon expiration of contract. Notably,

even though 5 janitors were dismissed from October 1 through February 13, six new janitors were

hired. Three new janitors were hired on the day of the dismissal, and two were hired the next day.Three months later one janitor was reinstated to work. Further, to replace the locksmith dismissed

upon expiration of contract, new locksmith/electrician was hired in two weeks on the basis of a job

application.

30 more employees of Ozurgeti Gamgeoba were dismissed in February, including 13 trustees ofterritorial units and 4 specialists of territorial agencies. Notably, 13 trustees and two specialists were

dismissed based on their own resignation letters, while remaining two were dismissed upon

expiration of labor contract. Further, four trustees and two specialists of territorial unit weredismissed the same day, on February 26, based on their own letters of resignation; three were

dismissed on February 6.

Out of 13 employees dismissed from Gamgeoba, four were dismissed following liquidation ofagricultural development office, while six firemen were dismissed upon expiration of labor

contracts. Lead specialist in issues of citizens reception and service at the administrative office aswell as lead specialist of administrative office were dismissed upon expiration of labor contracts. On

February 18, Deputy Gamgebeli of Ozurgeti Municipality was dismissed on the basis of resignation

letter.

Starting from February 1 through February 28, total of eight acting trustees of territorial agencies

and one specialist of territorial agency were hired.

Trustee of Natanebi Village, Ozurgeti Municipality, Kakha Koplatadze informed ISFEDs

coordinator in Ozurgeti that he was being pressured by Ozurgeti Gamgebeli Konstantine

Sharashenidze and activists of the Georgian Dream, Vasil and Zaza Gobronidze. He was

allegedly contacted by Konstantine Sharashenidze, telling him to arrive in Ozurgeti and

submit a letter of resignation. When Kakha Koplatadze asked for the reason why, he

responded that in view of changes in political situation, he had to distance himself away from

the developments.

The village trustee believes that since he is not a member of any political party, he is pressured

for personal reasons as opposed to political grounds. On March 27, when he was getting back


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to work after a vacation, he was met by eight activists of the Georgian Dream outside his

office, telling him to resign according to the will of the population; otherwise, they threatened

to nail up his door. The same day he was harassed by activists of the Georgian Dream, Vasil

and Zaza Gobronidze, demanding that he meet with a common friend. During the meeting,

Kakha Koplatadze was informed that Gamgebeli Kote Sharashenidze supported the idea of

his resignation, as he served in office while the United National Movement was in power. He

was to be replaced by Vasil Gobronidze. Further, Koplatadze was accused of taking illegalownership of finances and impounding Global TV antennas.

Afterwards, Kakha Koplatadze learned that they had filed petitions signed Vasil and Zaza

Gobronidze and others in Gamgeoba against him. In one of the petitions they were accusing

the village trustee of pressuring probationers. There was another collective petition accusing

him of not providing guidance to farmers for selling their citrus harvest. As a result, harvested

fruit was spoiled.

Gamgebeli of Ozurgeti Municipality Konstantine Sharashenidze has informed ISFEDs

coordinator that Natanebi Village Trustee had been dismissed for his failure to perform his

official duties appropriately. According to him, trustees had been informed that as long as

they perform their duties in a due manner, they will maintain their positions. Gamgebeli wasmonitoring the work of each trustee during the period of three months and found that

Natanebi Trustee performed his official duties inappropriately. He also said that he had

personal instructed all trustees to provide guidance to farmers for selling their citrus harvest,

which Kakha Koplatadze failed to do.

Chokhatauri starting from October 1, 2012 through January 31, 2013, four employees of

Chokhatauri Municipality were dismissed on the basis of their own letters of resignation. 12employees were dismissed upon expiration of labor contract, while three were dismissed after

reductions in staff. ISFEDs coordinator found out that staff changes in Chokhatauri Municipality

officially commence on March 1. All 23 village trustees have already submitted resignation letters

which have not yet been approved. Trustees are expected to be replaced starting from March 1.According to Acting Gamgebeli Tamaz Chincharadze, activists of the coalition Georgian Dream that

enjoy support from villages will be appointed as village trustees. ISFEDs coordinator interviewedseveral village trustees who stated that they had filed resignation letters willingly, without any

pressure from the authorities.

From October 1, 2012 through January 31, 2012, there was only a single dismissal reported in

Lanchkhuti Sakrebulo; in particular, labor contract of a consultant for the faction Georgian Dream

Democratic Lanchkhuti was terminated.

Vazhtang Zenaishvili was appointed as Acting Deputy Gamgebeli of Lanchkhuti on February 1. He

was a manager of the Georgian Dreams regional office.

6 trustees of territorial units were dismissed in February based on their own letters of resignation,

including 4 trustees dismissed the same day, on February 19. Acting trustees were appointed in five

villages. According to reports, they are planning to hold primaries for appointment of village

trustees. Trustees in the village of Atsana and Ninoshvili have been replaced following primaries.

Former Deputy Gamgebeli of Lanchkhuti Municipality and head of the UNMs regional office,

Kakhaber Askurava alleges that he was illegally dismissed by District Gamgebeli Zaza

Urushidze. ISFEDs coordinator interviewed both. Askurava, who was serving as Acting


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Gamgebeli, applied to Acting Sakrbeulo Chairperson for a leave on January 28. He was

summoned to the office the following day, when Acting Gamgebeli was to be appointed. At

January 29 meeting of Sakrebulo, Amiran Gigineishvili was appointed as the new

Chairperson, while Zaza Urushadze was appointed as Acting Governor. Askurava continued

with his vacation without applying to the new Gamgebeli for permission

ISFED Monitoring of Post-Election Processes-3rd Report

Documents

Transcript of ISFED Monitoring of Post-Election Processes-3rd Report