Sanikidze calls for inquest into intel agents at TSU

Tamar Sanikidze. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Education Minister Tamar Sanikidze is considering asking parliament to hold an inquest into the presence of intelligence agents at Tbilisi State University.

Saturday evening, Sanikidze met students at TSU who for the last three days have been protesting against a candidate for the top position at one of the university’s ruling bodies, occupying the main building, spending nights there in the hall.

The education minister condemned the alleged presence of intelligence agents at TSU and said it is important to investigate this.

“This is very important and alarming, because ODR has nothing to do in an education facility,” she said, adding that the Education Ministry doesn’t have ODR as it is not on the list of ‘high risk’ bodies.

She asked for evidence to be gathered at the university and send to the Prosecutor General’s Office for investigation.

Earlier on Saturday, students held a planning session which was closed for the media. Afterward, they said that their plan is to demand an investigation of ODR agents at TSU. The main demand remain that Giorgi Gaprindashvili must withdraw his candidacy for chancelor, and work must begin to amend legislation to reorganize the student government, the Tvitmartveloba.

The protest has gone on for three days. Students have been spending the nights at the university’s main building. The election for new chancellor was canceled on March 10. The only candidate was Gaprindashvili.

Friday evening, he said on Imedi TV that he plans to make decision about this candidacy on  Monday after meeting members of the university assembly called the senate.

“The PM’s statement is very important to me. I respect the opinion of the head of government, but we also have to take into account that the process of choosing me as candidate for chancellor was not rigged. I think it is important that I listened to the people who supported my candidacy,” he said.

Prime Minister Kvirikashvili called on Gaprindashvili to withdraw his candidacy.