PM Kvirikashvili calls to deescalate student conflict at Tbilisi State University

Kvirikashvili made a special statement this afternoon urging the country’s Interior Ministry to enforce security measures at TSU as he believed University management failed to resolve the problem.

The PM tasked Minister of Education Tamar Sanikidze to organise a meeting at TSU that would involve all parties of the conflict; students, lecturers and University leaders.

Kvirikashvili highlighted he "respected” students’ wishes but as the situation escalated the Government was responsible for ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment at the University, which is financed by the state budget.

In his statement the PM urged students to act reasonably and support peaceful negotiations to end their conflict. 

TSU Rector said he would not resign. Photo by Tbilisi State University. 

The conflict began about a week ago when one group of students protested against the candidate for the University Chancellor’s post. 

The only candidate for the position – the second highest role at TSU following the Rector – was Giorgi Gaprindashvili. 

One group of students alleged Gaprindashvili, who previously acted as a member of the Student’s Government (Tvitmmartveloba) at TSU, over several years committed various illegalities against students such as improper spending of Tvitmmartveloba budget funds, protected students who physically and verbally abused other students and cooperated with the Ministry  of Internal Affairs as a "spy” at the University. 

Earlier in the week as the student protest intensified, PM Kvirikashvili appealed to Gaprindashvili to withdraw his candidacy to ensure peace at the University. Initially Gaprindashvili refused this but yesterday, March 14, he removed his candidacy.

Giorgi Gaprindashvili dismissed  all accusations. 

Meanwhile, this step triggered a protest from another group of students mainly united in Tvitmmartveloba, who said University Rector Vladimer Papava disturbed Gaprindashvili’s advancement as University Chancellor, as he stood behind the group of students opposing  Gaprindashvili. 

Consequently, they launched a counter protest and demanded the resignation of Papava. 

The Tvitmmartveloba students occupied the Rector’s room at the University earlier today, but this afternoon after about an hour of negotiations with the University Rector, they left the room as Papava said would not resign. 

Students protesting against Gaprindashvili. Photo by Tbilisi State University. 

Papava said he believed the conflict at the University was organised by an "outside political force” who wished unrest at TSU and in Georgia. 

The majority of University lecturers echoed Papava’s comments and said if he resigned as TSU Rector, they would start a hunger strike. 

Local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) said it was justified for police to be present at TSU to enforce peace, however, the Government must ensure the  so-called spies to be removed from educational and other non-police institutions.