3:30 PM - 21 Sept 2012:
Bacho Akhalaia resigned yesterday as Minister of Interior. Today his arrest is planned in Saburtalo. However, according to student organization Iverielebi, Akhalaia has left the country. They are protesting in Saburtalo holding signs: Wanted Bacho. At the same time new minister of the Penitentiary System and former Ombudsman Giorgi Tugushi has visited Gldani prison with several local press. Footage from TV9 (opposition channel) shows inmates in Gldani prison shutting and opening windows to show their discontent. Some inmates are filmed shouting 'Bidzina Gaumarjos', which translate to 'Bless Bidzina'.
2:30 PM - 20 Sept 2012:
Minister of Interior Bacho Akhalaia resigns. The former Minister of the Penitentiary System when deadly riots took place in 2007, was now as Minister of Interior responsible for the atrocities recorded recently in the prison system. Student protests, the other protest, and a group of Civil Society organizations had called for, among, his resignation. This close ally of Saakashvili seemed to have been under the presidents protection, but the ruling party has realized these steps needed to be taken to not loose complete credibility.
Bacho Akhalaia resigned yesterday as Minister of Interior. Today his arrest is planned in Saburtalo. However, according to student organization Iverielebi, Akhalaia has left the country. They are protesting in Saburtalo holding signs: Wanted Bacho. At the same time new minister of the Penitentiary System and former Ombudsman Giorgi Tugushi has visited Gldani prison with several local press. Footage from TV9 (opposition channel) shows inmates in Gldani prison shutting and opening windows to show their discontent. Some inmates are filmed shouting 'Bidzina Gaumarjos', which translate to 'Bless Bidzina'.
2:30 PM - 20 Sept 2012:
Minister of Interior Bacho Akhalaia resigns. The former Minister of the Penitentiary System when deadly riots took place in 2007, was now as Minister of Interior responsible for the atrocities recorded recently in the prison system. Student protests, the other protest, and a group of Civil Society organizations had called for, among, his resignation. This close ally of Saakashvili seemed to have been under the presidents protection, but the ruling party has realized these steps needed to be taken to not loose complete credibility.
