Navy Commander Sacked
Commander of the Georgian Naval Forces Zaza Erkvania was dismissed on February 20, the Defense Ministry reported. No reasons were given for this decision.
According to the Georgian Defense Ministry, Levan Bakradze will provisionally take over the duties of the Commander of the Naval Forces.
Dismissal of the Naval Forces Commander follows a reshuffle of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. On February 14, the leadership of the General Staff all filed their resignation, as was demanded from the leadership of the Defense Ministry.
On February 18 President Saakashvili dismissed Commander of the General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Vakhtang Kapanadze. He was appointed as the Georgian President?s aide for military issues. Deputy Commander of the General Staff Levan Nikoleishvili replaced Kapanadze.
