Clashes Reported in Abkhazia

Georgian media sources reported that a shootout took place between Abkhaz and Georgian armed men in the Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia late on August 8.

According to the reports, a group of local Georgians were trying to recover the corpses of two Georgians who were killed in a clash with the Abkhaz militia earlier the same day near the village of Repi.

Meanwhile, Abkhaz sources said on August 9 that Abkhaz law enforcers have detained a group of ?Georgian saboteurs? in the Gali district. RIA Novosti news agency reported, quoting Ruslan Kishmaria, the Abkhaz leader?s envoy in Gali, that one Georgian was killed in a clash.

Otar Khetsia, the Interior Minister of breakaway Abkhazia, told Interfax news agency that four ?Georgian saboteurs? were sent by Georgian special services to the Ochamchire district of Abkhazia to photograph military fortifications and areas where Abkhaz troops are stationed.

Abkhaz sources also said that several residents of Kvemo Bargebi, a Georgian village in the Gali district, were arrested for allegedly having links to the group of ?Georgian saboteurs.? Reports do not specify how many people were arrested.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)