The News in Brief
Tuesday, September 29
New Chief Prosecutor appointed
Murtaz Zodelava, an MP from the ruling party, was appointed as the new Chief Prosecutor on September 28. He replaces Mamuka Gvaramia, who has assumed the office of Tbilisi Prosecutor.
Prior to his appointment Zodelava was the First Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for legal issues; as Chief Prosecutor he will no longer be allowed to serve as an MP.
The General Prosecutor’s Office was merged with the Justice Ministry as the result of constitutional amendments in October, 2008. The Justice Minister is at the same time Prosecutor General; the post of Chief Prosecutor is a separate position, and the holder is responsible for the everyday activities of the Prosecutor’s Office.
(The Messenger)
Academic year 2009-2010 begins at TSU
Studies officially began at Tbilisi’s Ivane Javakhishvili State University yesterday. The TSU administration organised a special event dedicated to the beginning of the academic year. The university is offering new programmes and a restored infrastructure to its students.
The 30 first-year students with the highest ratings were presented with awards by Geocell, the students union and the TSU administration. TSU has received 4,000 students for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Education Minister Nika Gvaramia also attended the event and congratulated the students on the beginning of their studies.
(Rustavi 2)
Russia will send more boats to Abkhazia
Russia will send more boats to Georgia`s breakaway Abkhazia to reinforce control of its waters. Reportedly it will send ten modern boats to support the Novorossiysk, which has been patrolling there since last week.
A Russian analytical programme has broadcast a special story about Russia’s plans in Abkhazia. This said that Russia would establish a special division for Abkhazia, which would detain Georgian ships they accuse of piracy. The Abkhazian separatist leader has confirmed that Abkhazian coast guards will now resist attempts by the Georgian Navy to detain foreign tankers sailing to Abkhazia.
(Rustavi 2)
Dmitry Shashkin presents staff of Pardon Commission
Minister of Penitentiary, Probation and Legal Assistance Dmitry Shashkin has presented the staff of the new Pardon Commission to the public. As he declared at yesterday's presentation, the Commission includes 6 representatives of the Ministry, two MPs (one from the majority and one from the opposition) and one from an NGO. Its first session will be held on September 30th, when it will consider 75 requests for parole.
Dmitry Shashkin noted that had asked the NGOs to present 5 candidates, but 24 were suggested. On Saturday a council of advisors discussed 5 nominees and chose the National Board youth organisation member Nino Mestumrishvili who, according to Shashkin, will be replaced by rotation after three months. The new Chair of the Commission, Levan Zarandia, said that a fundamental principle of the Commission would be to work transparently and protect both the rights of prisoners and public order.
Gia Arsenishvili and Dmitry Lortkipanidze are the two MPs in the new Commission. They consider it important that Parliament plays a role in the Commission’s work.
(Interpressnews)
Ex-PM’s party disapproves the water tariff
The Movement for Fair Georgia, led by Georgia’s ex-Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli, is complaining about the “unaffordable” water tariffs in the capital. Members Sergo Javakhidze and Levan Kudukhashvili told the media yesterday that most of the Tbilisi population might soon be left without a water supply due to the high charge of 2.40 GEL per person.
“Considering that 50% of our population is vulnerable, the danger that these people may be left without drinking water is quite feasible,” the party members said. They also object to restrictions on drinking water availability. “Tbilisi districts have a water supply schedule when we have 24-hour fountains in the capital,” opposition party members said.
(Rustavi 2)
Labour Party complains about expensive textbooks
The Georgian Labour Party is urging international financial organisations to allocate 20-30 million GEL for funding the buying of textbooks for Georgia’s public school pupils. Ioseb Shatberashvili of the party says that pupils have to pay up to 200 GEL for textbooks in one year only, a sum is unaffordable for 70 per cent of the population.
Shatberashvili asserts that funds already allocated by international financial organisations have been misappropriated. “We are asking the EBRD and the IMF to check where the funds allocated for Georgia have gone. These funds have been stolen by the Government of Georgia. That’s why we are urging these organisations to allocate 20-30 million GEL to schools to enable them to purchase textbooks for pupils themselves,” Shatberashvili said.
(Rustavi 2)
Murtaz Zodelava, an MP from the ruling party, was appointed as the new Chief Prosecutor on September 28. He replaces Mamuka Gvaramia, who has assumed the office of Tbilisi Prosecutor.
Prior to his appointment Zodelava was the First Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for legal issues; as Chief Prosecutor he will no longer be allowed to serve as an MP.
The General Prosecutor’s Office was merged with the Justice Ministry as the result of constitutional amendments in October, 2008. The Justice Minister is at the same time Prosecutor General; the post of Chief Prosecutor is a separate position, and the holder is responsible for the everyday activities of the Prosecutor’s Office.
(The Messenger)
Academic year 2009-2010 begins at TSU
Studies officially began at Tbilisi’s Ivane Javakhishvili State University yesterday. The TSU administration organised a special event dedicated to the beginning of the academic year. The university is offering new programmes and a restored infrastructure to its students.
The 30 first-year students with the highest ratings were presented with awards by Geocell, the students union and the TSU administration. TSU has received 4,000 students for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Education Minister Nika Gvaramia also attended the event and congratulated the students on the beginning of their studies.
(Rustavi 2)
Russia will send more boats to Abkhazia
Russia will send more boats to Georgia`s breakaway Abkhazia to reinforce control of its waters. Reportedly it will send ten modern boats to support the Novorossiysk, which has been patrolling there since last week.
A Russian analytical programme has broadcast a special story about Russia’s plans in Abkhazia. This said that Russia would establish a special division for Abkhazia, which would detain Georgian ships they accuse of piracy. The Abkhazian separatist leader has confirmed that Abkhazian coast guards will now resist attempts by the Georgian Navy to detain foreign tankers sailing to Abkhazia.
(Rustavi 2)
Dmitry Shashkin presents staff of Pardon Commission
Minister of Penitentiary, Probation and Legal Assistance Dmitry Shashkin has presented the staff of the new Pardon Commission to the public. As he declared at yesterday's presentation, the Commission includes 6 representatives of the Ministry, two MPs (one from the majority and one from the opposition) and one from an NGO. Its first session will be held on September 30th, when it will consider 75 requests for parole.
Dmitry Shashkin noted that had asked the NGOs to present 5 candidates, but 24 were suggested. On Saturday a council of advisors discussed 5 nominees and chose the National Board youth organisation member Nino Mestumrishvili who, according to Shashkin, will be replaced by rotation after three months. The new Chair of the Commission, Levan Zarandia, said that a fundamental principle of the Commission would be to work transparently and protect both the rights of prisoners and public order.
Gia Arsenishvili and Dmitry Lortkipanidze are the two MPs in the new Commission. They consider it important that Parliament plays a role in the Commission’s work.
(Interpressnews)
Ex-PM’s party disapproves the water tariff
The Movement for Fair Georgia, led by Georgia’s ex-Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli, is complaining about the “unaffordable” water tariffs in the capital. Members Sergo Javakhidze and Levan Kudukhashvili told the media yesterday that most of the Tbilisi population might soon be left without a water supply due to the high charge of 2.40 GEL per person.
“Considering that 50% of our population is vulnerable, the danger that these people may be left without drinking water is quite feasible,” the party members said. They also object to restrictions on drinking water availability. “Tbilisi districts have a water supply schedule when we have 24-hour fountains in the capital,” opposition party members said.
(Rustavi 2)
Labour Party complains about expensive textbooks
The Georgian Labour Party is urging international financial organisations to allocate 20-30 million GEL for funding the buying of textbooks for Georgia’s public school pupils. Ioseb Shatberashvili of the party says that pupils have to pay up to 200 GEL for textbooks in one year only, a sum is unaffordable for 70 per cent of the population.
Shatberashvili asserts that funds already allocated by international financial organisations have been misappropriated. “We are asking the EBRD and the IMF to check where the funds allocated for Georgia have gone. These funds have been stolen by the Government of Georgia. That’s why we are urging these organisations to allocate 20-30 million GEL to schools to enable them to purchase textbooks for pupils themselves,” Shatberashvili said.
(Rustavi 2)