22 April 2004, 15:53
Saakashvili orders to withdraw rebellious brigade from Adjaria
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has signed the order to relocate the 25th motorized rifle brigade from Batumi to Tbilisi. Georgian Defense Minister Gela Bezhuashvili told a press conference on April 21 that the brigade would be manned with contract servicemen pursuant to the order. "We will start withdrawing military equipment from Batumi as soon as the infrastructure necessary for it is created. It will not be easy, I know. But we can do it," Mr Bezhuashvili said.
Commander of the 25th brigade Roman Dumbadze was discharged in early April since criminal procedures were instituted against him under the article on high treason. But Major-General Dumbadze disobeyed the order and declared he placed himself under the authority of Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze.
On April 20, the Supreme Court of Georgia sanctioned the arrest of Dumbadze and the Georgian Prosecutor General's Office declared him internationally wanted. Meanwhile, chief of the division of the Georgian interior troops stationed in Adjaria Colonel Murad Tsintsandze announced his disobedience to the central authorities right after Dumbadze, reported the Interfax news agency.
Editors note: See also the article "Georgian president: rebellious general to be declared wanted".
Source: RIA Novosti
