Chief of Forestry Department Flees Georgia, Citing Intimidation

Chairman of the Forestry Department of Georgia Bidzina Giorgobiani fled Georgia, citing pressure from the authorities, particularly from the officials of the Security Service, which is currently under the subordination of the Interior Ministry. 
 
Before his departure Giorgobiani recorded a short video tape and distributed it to the Georgian television stations. In the tape, which was broadcasted by the leading Georgian televisions on March 16, Giorgobiani claims that officials from the Security Service fabricated a criminal case against him after he unveiled a scheme by the Security Service officials to appropriate funds through the illegal sale of timber.

?This controversy [with the Security Service] started after I cut all the channels of illegal distribution of shares [from the trade of timber],? Giorgobiani said.

Reports say that Giorgobiani was convened in the General Prosecutor?s Office a month ago for interrogation. The law enforcers suspected him of alleged ?negligence? while selling timber. He was released after handing over a written pledge not to leave the city to the General Prosecutor?s Office.

Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili declined to comment on this case and only said that the General Prosecutor?s Office is in charge of the investigation.

In the video tape Giorgobiani said that he is going to Germany, ?where I lived for 9 years.?

Giorgobiani fled Georgia for the first time in the early 90s, after the ouster of late Georgian President Zviad Gamsakhurdia in 1992. The Georgian daily Rezonansi reported on March 17 that Giorgobiani returned to Georgia after a request by late Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania to become the Chief of the Forestry Department last year.

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