Saakashvili Orders Adjara to Investigate Attack on Journalist

President Saakashvili ordered on March 5 Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze to prosecute those responsible for an attacke on journalists of Rustavi 2 TV company.

“I officially commission Aslan Abashidze to do everything possible to investigate the fact of the attack on the journalist within 10 days, and to bring all responsible [for the attack] before court,” Saakashvili told the reporters.

Jouralist Vakhtang Komakhidze of Rustavi 2 TV company was assaulted by a group of unknown men as he stopped his car at a police check point in Adjara.

Komakhidze stated an assault was linked to his journalistic assignment to investigate illegal dealings of Abashidze and his family. ?I found out that around 40 relatives of Abashidze are on high [official] positions in Adjara and they accumulated huge wealth,? Vakhtang Komakhidze told Rustavi 2.

President Saakashvili warned Adjarian leadership that a failure to launch prosecution in Adjara would lead to criminal charges towards responsible officers.

Earlier on March 5 Saakashvili said that he will not tolerate ?lawlessness in Georgia .?

On March 4 Aslan Abashidze criticized the central authorities for trying to gain ?total control over the Autonomous Republic.? In response, Mikheil Saakashvili said, ?times when the central authorities were unable to control Autonomous Republic are gone.?

?Of course I want to control Adjara and I will impose control over Adjara,? President Saakashvili added.