All recommendations violated at charity rally in Zugdidi
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Friday, March 27
Despite the state of emergency, dozens have gathered in Zugdidi, in the Western Georgia region of Samegrelo, to receive facemasks and hand sanitisers, gifted by Saakashvili’s Presidential Library. The safety rule bans gatherings of more than 10 individuals.
The rally was initiated by New Leaders and supported by Saakashvili's Presidential Library. Ex-President Saakashvili says that his initiative was financed by Georgians living in the US.
Giorgi Gakharia, a spokesman for the New Leaders, told reporters that the citizens did not obey the call for order. According to him, police were also at the scene, urging residents to maintain order, distance, but they didn’t follow the instructions.
Zugdidi Mayor Giorgi Shengelia responded to the fact, saying that it is inadmissible to hold similar rallies by separate parties while two municipalities in the country are quarantined. He called the act provocative and ‘a complete disregard of the law.’ Shengelia assured that the relevant agencies would discuss the incident and make a decision according to the law.
Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze commented that “charity is good, but it is necessary to take into consideration all the recommendations that were violated in the event of this rally,” adding that such behavior poses danger.
She also addressed the population of Zurgigi, saying the state is taking care of them – the minister will soon visit the city herself to check out the hospital that is being mobilized for quarantine space and inpatient beds.
Paata Imnadze, Deputy Director of the National Center for Disease Control, responded to the incident as well, saying “it is not the time for PR, instead of gathering people, these individuals, one or two people, could go door-to-door and get things done.”
The United National Movement opposition party, founded by Saakashvili, says that the event was organised by the presidential library and not by them.
Saakashvili also commented, saying that “apparently, police did not work as they had in the past.” On his Facebook page he wrote that a few days ago, in his public address, he appealed to the authorities that the Saakashvili Library had all the necessary safeguards that are important in the fight against the virus, and asked the government to provide it to the population. “They ignored the offer and now are blaming the library and its volunteers,” reads the post.
Nika Melia, Chairman of the UNM’s Political Council, made a statement:
“Sometimes it happens that you do one thing, it turns out the other way and you apologize for it.” According to him, they wanted to deliver protection packages to the citizens, keeping social distance, but due to a large turnout.
As of now, there is a state of emergency in the country to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Georgia has 79 confirmed cases of the virus since February 26, 2020. 10 have recovered. One of the infected is a resident of Zemo Etseri village of Zugdidi.
On March 26th, police fined the ‘New Leaders Initiative’ GEL 15 000 over violating the rules of the state of emergency. The record was handed to the head of the organization, Christina Pushaw. The Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a statement: according to Article 5, paragraph 2 of the Resolution 181 of the Government of Georgia of 23 March 2020, to prevent the spread of new Coronavirus, the gathering of more than 10 persons during the state of emergency is prohibited. According to the Ministry, the New Leaders Initiative gathered more than 100 people in Zugdidi on March 26th.
