2016-07-13 On July 13, Tanamgzavri TV reported alleged politically motivated dismissal of Maguli Charbadze, an employee of Telavi City Hall’s department of culture. Her husband and close relatives are supporters of the United National Movement opposition party. ISFED found out that on July 6, under the order of Telavi Mayor Platon Kalmakhelidze, Maguli Charbadze was dismissed from the department of culture, education and monuments protection of Telavi City Hall. She had been working there since 2008. According to Maguli Charbadze’s lawyer Giorgi Sibashvili, Ms. Charbadze was summoned by Deputy Mayor Levan Liluashvili on July 6. The deputy mayor demanded that she submit an application for resignation but she refused to. Maguli Charbadze believes that her dismissal has to do with political activities of her spouse and her brothers-in-law. In particular, her brothers-in-law, Zurab Charbadze and Mamuka Charbadze have been active members of the United National Movement since 2003, while on July 1 they attended presentation of the UNM’s economic platform in Telavi. The order of dismissal cites Article 93 and para.2 of Article 99 of the Law on Civil Service as grounds for Ms. Charbadze’s dismissal. These provisions allow dismissal for failure to fulfill official responsibilities, if any other form of disciplinary liability has already been applied against the employee. According to Giorgi Sibashvili, disciplinary measure (letter of reproof) was applied against her client on December 25, 2015, but no disciplinary proceedings had been launched against her since then.