Ex-Servicemen of National Guard Surrender After Night-long Mutiny

(Tbilisi. March 24, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Upto 30 former servicemen of the Georgian National Guard that seized the military unit in Tbilisi last night, surrendered to the Georgian police this morning.

After the talks with the former soldiers top officials of the Georgian government convinced the former servicemen of the National Guard to surrender.

General Prosecutor Nugzar Gabrichidze said ?the reason of the mutiny was to attract attention to their difficult social conditions, this is what they say.?

Gabrichidze said up to 30 former servicemen of the National Guard entered the military unit, located in Isani district of the capital city without any problems, disarmed the guard of the military unit and seized weapons and armored machines.

Interior, State Security Ministers, as well as Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Security were engaged in talks with the rebels. State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze also visited the place of incident.

According to the law enforcers all the former members of the National Guard participating in seizing of the military unit in Tbilisi are detained at the moment.

According to the Prosecutor General’s office all the suspects will be charged for participation in seizing of the facility of vital importance.