Russian MFA Warns of ‘Dangerous Developments’ in Kodori

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on July 31 that “dangerous developments” are taking place in upper Kodori Gorge, as the Georgian side has “carried out a large-scale military action under cover of ‘a police operation’” there.

“Tbilisi has also voiced its intention to maintain a military presence in Kodori Gorge and to move their so called ‘Abkhaz government-in-exile’” there, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The statement goes on to say that “We agree with the opinion of the Abkhaz side that the actions of the Georgian leadership in the Kodori Gorge and its future plans [to station the Abkhaz government-in-exile in the gorge] can instigate a dangerous scenario of further developments.”

Moscow also accuses Georgia of violating the 1994 Moscow agreement on ceasefire and separation of forces, which envisages the withdrawal of army troops from Kodori Gorge.  

Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili said on July 31 that the anti-criminal operation against rebel warlord Emzar Kvitsiani and his militia in Kodori was carried out by Georgian police forces, and that army units “only provided logistical assistance” to the police.

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