14:54, 9 May 2008

Dzaganiya: pressure on the opposition continues in Georgia

In Georgia, the pressure on oppositionists is still exerted. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed about it by Kakhaber Dzaganiya, ideological secretary of the Labour Party of Georgia.

"They still keep calling up, come to our offices and threaten. One of these days, our people telephoned from Cahetia and told about problems with our party office there. To be more precise, we have already agreed to rent a room for the office, but then we were rejected. This is the way all over Georgia: first the owners agree, and then they apologize and refuse, because they are scared," Mr Dzaganiya has explained.

According to his version, in the vicinity of Tbilisi, one of gamgebelies (head of local government) has told residents of one of the villages that "should they fail to behave properly", water supply will be stopped.

"Proper behaviour in this case means ticking No. 5 (number of the party in power) in the ballot paper of the forthcoming presidential elections. These are Bolshevik methods. Besides, there are other examples of pressure: husband of one of our ladies-activists was arrested," Mr Dzaganiya has added.

Author: Edita Badasian, CK correspondent