TENSION WEAKENS IN GEORGIA
Public Prosecutor of Georgia Irakliy Okruashvili stated at the briefing on 16 October evening that legal actions had been brought against some high-ranking officials except Interior Minister of Ajaria Jemal Gogitidze who has an immunity of a deputy while the others are on the wanted list. These are Minister of Security of Ajaria Soso Gogitidze, deputy Foreing Minister David Bakuradze, head of the executive power of Kobulet province Tariel Khalvashi, chief of the Aslan Abashidze’s bodyguard service David Khalvashi. According to the Public Prosecutor, proceedings against Aslan Abashidze and his son, Batumi mayor Georgiy Abashidze have not been instituted yet. The National Bank of Georgia stopped banking operations in Ajaria and takes steps to freeze accounts of Ajarian officials in foreign banks.
7 cargo vessels were not let in the Batumi port on March 16, Georgian frontier guards accompanied the vessels to the Poti port. Most of ships belong to Turkey and Greece.
Prime Minister of Georgia Zurab Zhvania said that Aslan Abashidze heard an answer “It is too late” when he twice called Prime Minister on March 16.
President suddenly met with Cathalicos of all Georgia, patriarch Iliya II on March 16 but made no comments on the meeting results.
Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia Nino Burdjanadze interrupted her visit to Italy and returned to Tbilisi because of Ajaria events. On March 17, she arrived in Batumi and negotiated with Aslan Abashidze.
The embassy of Turkey to Georgia made a statement on the last developments. It says Government of Turkey is ready to take part in peaceful resolution of the conflict between central authorities and Ajaria Autonomous Republic.
According to the latest reports from Georgia, President Mikhail Saakashvili has met today with Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze. The parties have reportedly agreed on most important issues.
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