08 April 2013, 12:00
In Georgia, peasants conflict with Iranian tenant farmers
In the village of Khaishi, Tetrittskaroy District of Georgia, locals broke into the farms, exploited by Iranian farmers. Georgian peasants believe that the authorities had secretly delivered to the tenants the land plots that they consider to be their own property.
The incident occurred in the village of Khaishi on April 6, when villagers broke into a farm commanded by Iranians and smashed a part of the fence. The arriving police stopped them from completely smashing the fence. There is no data about the victims of the incident.
The Iranian farmers working in this village received about 700 hectares of land into lease about two years ago. Local residents believe that the lease contract was signed in secret; and as a result they lost their pastures.
As stated by the villagers, they had earlier addressed for help to local and central authorities, but received no answer, the "Georgia Online" reports.
So far, no comments of the authorities are available in connection with the actions of peasants and their demands; nothing is also reported about the fate of foreign farmers.