March 20, opposition politician Irakli Alasania sent a letter to Georgia’s National Security Council, detailing what he claims is a paramilitary force set up by President Saakashvili within the last few months, which could be used against opposition supporters. The government claims the groups are only volunteer reservists.
Later the Security Council published Alasania’s letter on its website. Here is a translation.
Document # 16-1/1
March 20, 2012
To Giga Bokeria, Secretary of the National Security Council of Georgia
Batono Giga,
This letter is accompanied by the information about location and number of informal paramilitary groups set up in Western Georgia during the latest period.
By information received from the local population we know that these groups are deployed in cities and villages of Western Georgia. Some members of these groups were convicted of severe crimes in the past and are not registered in any official structures. These groups have been actively armed and financed. Their so called headquarters are deployed in populated areas and their presence sows fear among the local population.
Due to high public interest I ask you to study above mentioned facts and react.
We all remember well the tragic consequences of civil confrontation in Georgia in the past. The government and society then missed the chance to prevent formation of such kind of organizations in time. Setting up such groups in Georgia during election year, in already tense and polarized atmosphere immensely increases the possibility of civil strife/confrontation. Immediate reaction on these facts will be prevention so that these people wouldn’t be used against people who are critical towards government. There are lots of such examples in the last months.
I express readiness to meet you to objectively investigate above mentioned issue.
Attached 6 (pages)
Sincerely,
Irakli Alasania
The Chairman,
Our Georgia – Free Democrats
I group
350-member group (Special unit)
Deployment – Zugdidi, private houses
Head – Koba Akhvlediani (Former head of Roland Akhalaia’s guard/security)
Commander – Pridon Shengelia
Deputy Commander – Tornike Malazonia
Deputy Commander – Avto Beltadze
100 Commanders
1) Kakha Apshilava
2) Elguja Gulordava
3) Gocha Gamsaxurdia
10 Commanders
1) Gela Meporia (Kidachi)
2) Davit Shengelia
3) Beso Shengelia
4) Murman Kursua
5) Malazonia Gocha
Salaries: Commanders 2000 laris + awards
Privates 700 laris +awards
II group
Deployment: village Inguri (house of Slavik Bigvava)
Commander: Koba Todua
Deputy Commander: Gatserelia Irakli
Members:
1) Slavik Bigvava
2) ‘Kabani’
3) Irakli Akhalaia
4) Bakur Buliskiria
5) Mikaia Koba
6) Temur Kobalia
III group (Bacho Akhalaia)
Reserve groups:
Involvement:
National Guard Commander Mamuka Iosava
Commander of the western route: Zaza Janjalia
Commander of Senaki’s second Brigade: Zviad Gagua
Commander of the National Guard Brigade: Davit Popkhadze
Special Forces Commander: Koba Akhvlediani
Deputy Governor of Samegrelo Zemo Svaneti: Davit Darsmelidze (former head of Constitutional Security Department)
Tengiz Gunava
Levan Kiria
Ruslan Shamakhia
IV group
25-member group of village Grigolishi
Commander: Bejan Gvazava
V group
25-member group of village Akhalsopeli
Commander: Patsatsia
VI group
25-member group of village Jikhaskari
Commander: Vakhtang Zarandia
VII group
Head: Shamatava Roma
Commander: Ubilava Sergo
Head of Subdivision: Apsnadze Vokha, formerly from Saturn (?) სატურნელი?
1) Andriadze Zaza – formerly from Saturn
2) Ubilava Zaza – formerly from Saturn
3) Gorozia Zuri – formerly from Saturn
4) Pazhava Zaza – (former intelligence employee)
VIII group so-called special purpose unit
Control: Roma Shamatava (head of Abkhazian Constitutional Security Department)
1) Tengiz Papava
2) Jemal Apshilava
3) Belkania
IX group so-called special unit of Chuberi
Control: Roma Shamatava
Commander: Nugzar Pangani
Deputy Commander: Gocha Jomidava
Deployment: village Nakalmakhevi
75 member group
5 persons (officially included)
70 persons (verbal agreement, receive salary of 400 laris on hand)
X group
Deployment: Zugdidi (Griboedovi 41. Gamsakhurdia 156)
Control: Roma Shamatava
Commander: Davit Korkia
40 member group (verbal agreement, receive salary f 400 laris on hand)
XI group so called group of Churchkhobani
Commander: Ubilava Sergo
8-member group
3 persons (officially)
5 persons (verbal agreement)
XII group
100 member special unit (Vano Merabishvili’s control)
Commander: Koba Pachulia (Company is staffed of fired policemen)
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