President posthumously awards minor killed in Vake Park electrocution incident

Georgian president Salome Zourabichvili on Thursday posthumously awarded Marita Meparishvili, a 13-year-old who died in an electrocution incident in Tbilisi’s central Vake Park earlier this year in an attempt to ensure aid to her friends in the newly renovated fountain. 

The deceased minor has been awarded for civilian dedication.

The same award has been handed to Devi Mezurnishvili, a senior gardener in the park, who saved two minors in the same incident despite life-threatening risks. 

The deadly incident took place on October 13, on the second day after the opening of the renovated park, with nine arrested, including an official in Tbilisi City Hall. 

The opposition is still demanding the resignation of Mayor Kakha Kaladze for the case, pointing to corruption in his office which had caused the incident. 

The children entered the fountain in a bid to retrieve a ball.