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Compiled by Tato Gachechiladze
Friday, November 9
Why does Akhalaia feel most safe in the prison?

Since Bacho Akhalaia was detained on November 6th there has been considerable speculations as to why he returned to Georgia, Alia reports. One rumor that has been gaining currency from various public figures is that Akhalaia returned to Georgia and almost certain arrest because a Georgian prison might be the safest place for him. As Minister of Internal Affairs Akhalaia was responsible for the Lapakuri special operation on August 29th when three Georgian special service personnel, including a military doctor, and 11 suspected Islamist militants were killed in a clash near the border between Georgia and Dagestan. The new Georgian Dream government has described this operation as an "unnecessary tragedy". Zaal Kasrelishvili, President of the Confederation of Caucasian Nations told the media that Akhalaia was warned about the possible threat of reprisals coming from militant groups based in the north Caucasus.



Kikabidze’s concerts were paid for using state reserve funds

Kvela Siakhle writes that a number of Buba Kikabidze's concerts were funded by state reserve funds. Kikabidze is a well-known Saakashvili supporter and the Georgian President's favorite singer. Social media recently released a document showing 180,000 GEL being allocated for Kikabidize's concerts in Rome, Thessaloniki and Madrid in 2011. The document was signed by Mikheil Saakashvili.

Kikabidze’s producer Soso Abzianidze replied to the allegations: "The Ministry of Diaspora Issues was receiving a lot of letters and notifications from Georgians abroad that they wanted to attend Kikabidze’s concerts in their countries of residence. You can easily check it out at the ministry. That is why the reserve fund allocated money for financing such concerts. They were charity concerts and the money which was allocated was for accommodation, food and concert equipment." Abzianidze said.