2016-06-30 On June 30, Director of Keta Municipality Kindergartens Iashe Tebidze dismissed a music teacher at Dologni Kindergarten (Keda Municipality), Maka Devadze for expiration of labor contract. Ms. Devadze believes that her dismissal was politically motivated. Maka Devadze’s dismissal was preceded by a complaint (“explanatory note”) submitted by 14 employees of Dologni Kindergarten stating that Maka Devadze was a high-conflict person, unsociable and was not on good terms with other employees of the kindergarten. Maka Devadze informed ISFED’s observer that in reality, she had been dismissed for two different reasons: in particular, kindergarten staff abused children, which she protested and threatened to publicly disclose the facts of abuse. She also alleged that her dismissal was politically motivated, considering that she had declined an offer of Roman Bedinadze, majoritarian member from the Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia in Keda Municipality Sakrebulo (from Makhuntseti Community) to work for the Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia, even though she had been working as the GD’s local office coordinator months before. In addition, Maka Devadze stated that her mother is an active supporter of the UNM. According to Ms. Devadze, she plans to file a defamation suit in court in connection to the explanatory note of the kindergarten staff. She also said that all fourteen employees of the kindergarten were pressured into signing the note. Notably, majoritarian of Keda Municipality from Makhuntseti Comunity Mr. Bedinadze confirmed that Ms. Devadze was offered to continue her cooperation with the Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia office. Maka Devadze’s allegations about politically motivated dismissal were categorically rejected by Director of Kindergarten Unions of Keta Municipality Atashe Tebidze and Dologni Kindergarten Manager Maka Baramidze. They state that Ms. Devidze’s allegations are false and slanderous. They also dismissed allegations about child abuse and forcing kindergarten staff to sign the explanatory note as a “shocking lie”. According to Maka Baramidze, Ms. Devadze had started a conflict at work the very first day and the conflict had lasted for 6 months. She had also received a letter of reproof for her failure to adequately fulfill her work-related responsibilities. Director of the Kindergartens’ Union Aishe Tebidze stated that he had tried to mediate the conflict a number of times but without any success.