Rebel Warlord Faces Treason Charges

Emzar Kvitsiani, who is currently besieged by Georgian government forces in upper Kodori Gorge, has been charged by the Georgian General Prosecutor?s Office for illegal possession of arms and the formation of an illegal armed group.

?In the near future he will be officially charged with treason as well. He is now officially wanted by the Prosecutor?s Office,? Kakha Koberidze, Deputy Prosecutor General, said on July 26.

Emzar Kvitsiani announced his defiance towards the central authorities on July 22. Initially he said that he was protesting against alleged plans of Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili to forcefully disarm his militia group Monadire, which was part of the Defense Ministry before April, 2005. On July 23 Kvitsiani voiced new demands, saying that he wanted Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili to resign.

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