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Compiled by Eter Tsotniashvili
Wednesday, June 25
“Is Emzar Kvitsiani hiding in Sokhumi?”

Sakartvelos Respublika carries rumors that rebel warlord Emzar Kvitsiani, whose abortive insurrection two years ago in Abkhazia’s Kodori Gorge led to the Georgian government reasserting control of the area, is hiding out in the de facto Abkhaz capital of Sokhumi surrounded by Russian security:

“Emzar Kvitsiani, wanted by the Georgian government, is in Sokhumi and Russian special services are protecting him. [Georgian news portal] Abkhazeti.ru reported this based on information from Sokhumi.

It was unpleasant for Abkhazians for Kvitisiani to show up on their territory, because he was fighting on Georgia’s side in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, but Russian security does not allow anyone to confront him.

According to the website, Abkhazians are also displeased with the situation because they don’t want another war to start star. Locals are astonished by the fact that the situation in Abkhazia is now controlled by Russian and local Armenians.

There are currently 15 000 Russian soldiers in Abkhazia, located mainly in Ochamchire and Tkvarcheli.”



“Kay wants Patarkatsishvili’s widow to meet in front of media”

Local tabloid Alia writes about the continuing clash between the family of late tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili and self-declared heir Joseph Kay:

“The head of I-Media holding, Joseph Kay, says he is ready to meet Patarkatsishvili’s widow, Ina Gudavadze, with media in attendance to share objective information about [her family’s] inheritance.

Kay also told Gudavadze’s lawyer, Lord Goldsmith, that defending her interests alone does not mean defending the whole family’s interests, because along with Gudavadze the family includes [Patarkatsishvili’s] two daughters, an [illegitimate] son and his mother Olga Saponova-Patarkatsishvili, and Badri’s brother, sisters and mother.

Kay thinks that the lawyer, Goldsmith, is in actuality defending the interests of [oligarch Boris] Berezovsky, because Berezovsky was the person who arrested [Kay’s lawyer Emanuel] Zeltser who had the original copy of Patarkatsishvili’s will.”



“Giorgi Gamsakhurdia appointed deputy minister”

A son of the first Georgian president and brother to opposition figure Konstantine Gamsakhurdia has landed himself a deputy minister’s post, Alia reports:

“A son of Georgia’s ex-president, Giorgi Gamsakhurdia, has been appointed deputy state minister for diaspora issues.

According to the state ministry, Gamsakhurdia was appointed to the new post on President Saakashvili’s order on May 7, but he began working just a couple of weeks ago because there were repairs being done to the [ministry’s building].

State Minister for Diaspora Issues Iulon Gagoshidze has three deputies. Giorgi Gamsakhurdia was [previously] head of the police department in Upper Abkhazia.”