Nogaideli joins Movement "For Fair Georgia" as rank-and-file member

On January 11, the Ministry of Justice of Georgia passed a decision in favour of the members of the Party "For Fair Georgia" who opposed Zurab Nogaideli.

According to the press service of the Ministry, the application about the change of the members of the Board of the Movement was satisfied, and the new Board membership was approved. Mr Nogaideli should automatically resign from the post of the Chairman of the Party and remain a rank-and-file member of the Board.

Thus, the Ministry of Justice of Georgia has approved the decision of the Party "For Fair Georgia", which dismissed, at its extraordinary congress on December 23, 2010, former Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli from the post of the Chairman of the Board.

The reason for this decision was in dissatisfaction of party members with Zurab Nogaideli's financial activities. In particular, as it became known to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, activists of the Association "For Fair Georgia" did not receive the promised money for their work as agitators and verification of voters' lists before the elections to local governments in May 2010.

Besides, many in the party expressed their dissatisfaction with Nogaideli's frequent meetings Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. According to party members, it spoiled the reputation of the Association "For Just Georgia" in voters' eyes.

Zurab Nogaideli has treated the scandal in the party as "a nicely staged performance," backed by the Georgia's ruling party. However, he refused to name the organizers of the campaign against him.