Georgian Helicopter Fired in Kodori

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, August 12, 2002) – Georgian President’s Representative in Kodori Gorge Emzar Kvitsiani told the reporters today that the Georgian helicopter with the passengers on board was fired in Georgian controlled Kodori gorge, breakaway Abkhazia on August 12. No fatalities reported.

“Russian troops and Abkhazian fighters opened fire to the helicopter,” Kvitsiani said. According to him up to 100 Russian soldiers and Abkhazian fighters entered the upper Kodori violating agreements, considering demilitarization of the Kodori gorge.

At the moment the urgent meeting of the Georgian defense chiefs is held in the Defense Ministry in Tbilisi, concerning the incident.

Up to 30 Russia border guards entered the gorge on July 31 and deployed on Georgian territory.  Russian soldiers left the gorge only after the talks with Georgian Defense Minister Davit Tevzadze.