Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said on July 23 Russia might be behind a defiant chief of paramilitary group in Kodori gorge Emzar Kvitsiani, who said on Saturday that his militiamen will resist if central authorities try to disarm Monadire (the Hunter) paramilitaries.

Burjanadze told Rustavi 2 television that Defense Minister of breakaway Abkhazia Sultan Sosnaliev and Commander of the Russian peacekeeping troops Sergey Chaban were in Kodori and met with Kvitsiani.

“This fact in itself means much,” Burjanadze said and added that developments in Kodori gorge have coincided with the current Russo-Georgian tensions.
 
Nino Burjanadze described Kvitsiani’s statements as “betrayal” and did not rule out police operation in Kodori gorge if situation is not improved there in few days.

Kodori gorge is a small Georgian enclave in breakaway Abkhazia, which is out of the secessionist authorities’ control. Irregular helicopter flights from Kutaisi are the only way connecting this mountainous region with the rest of Georgia.

Monadire paramilitary group with its estimated 300-400 members was formed by the local residents of Kodori with the aim to, as they said, protect the gorge from potential offensive of the Abkhaz troops. But now Kvitsiani claims he has over 1 000 members.

The militia group was legalized through its incorporation to the Defense Ministry. But in 2005 Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili disbanded the unit, which triggered discontent of Monadire members.

An influential parliamentarian Giga Bokeria said on July 23 that Kvitsiani is a threat, but “we should not overestimate this threat.”