Interior Minister Demands Disarming of Abashidze Supporters

Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Baramidze said the leadership of Adjara ignores its commitment to disarm paramilitary forces in the region.
 
?The Adjarian authorities have not started to disband illegal armed groups so far. So, everyone, who is responsible for non-fulfillment of the agreement, will be severely punished,? Giorgi Baramidze told reporters on April 12.  
 
Earlier on April 9 President Saakashvili warned Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze that unless the the paramilitary forces in Adjara are disarmed, he would disband the Adjarian legislative body and hold snap elections in the region.
 
Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Secretary of the National Security Council Vano Merabishvili are expected to arrive in Batumi on April 13 to hold talks with the Adjarian leader in an attempt to devise a constitutional arrangement on distribution of responsibilities between the central government and the autonomy.