Head of Adjaria does not intend to disarm militia

Head of Adjaria Aslan Abashidze refused to disarm militia in the autonomy in the nearest future.

“Disarmament of militia in the autonomous republic will take place only after Georgia establishes democracy,” stated Abashidze to the local TV station early Thursday morning.

Such was the answer of the head of Adjaria to Georgia President's Mikhail Saakashvili's demand to promptly begin disarmament of the “so-called volunteer corps” of the autonomy, reports “Interfax”.

“Population [in the region] possesses weapons since 1991. Back then, nearly 7 000 recidivists had been purposely released from jails in order to invade the autonomous republic. Only then armed militia managed to protect Adjaria and preserve constitutional regime,” said Abashidze.

“Today, these home guards protect their families, residences and the existing constitutional regime,” stated head of the republic.

Abashidze called Saakashvili's remarks regarding the fact that Adjaria plans to send for specially trained killers from Chechnya, Ukraine and Russia “ridiculous”.  “It’s ridiculous to hear such accusations, but we are getting used to it.”

When asked to comment on the issue of confiscation of diplomatic passports from the head of Adjaria and other high rank officials, Abashidze said the following: “It is doubtful that Foreign Minister of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili was aware of this in the first place, since she comes from the country where constitution governs the country, not the president.”  

“This decision of Georgian authorities shows the true face of the new governing power,” stated head of the republic.

Source: Newsru