Terrorist acts in Abkhazia 1999-2000

1999

4 Jan 1999: On the approach-road to the village of Chuburkhindzhi (Gal District) Gudul Ionovich Gamsakhurdia (b. 1920), while travelling on horseback, was blown up on an anti-tank mine laid by a Georgian terrorist group. He died at the scene of the explosion.

10 Jan 1999: At roughly 22.20 an unknown person using an granade launcher RPG-26 fired through a window of the D. Gulia Research Institute of the Republic of Abkhazia's Academy of Sciences, which stands on Victory Street in Sukhum. The building received material damage.

25 Jan 1999: At 8.30 a.m. in the village of Otobaia in the Gal District employees of the village's commandant's office were shot at. As a result R. L. Shamba and A. R. Chukbar were killed on the spot. S. O. Otyrba, O. V. Lazaria and B. N. Bargandzhia received wounds of varying degrees of severity and were taken to the Central Republican Hospital in Sukhum.

7 Feb 1999: During the night in the building of Armenian Middle School No. 9 an unknown explosive device went off beneath the stomatological office. As a result the stomatological office was destroyed and material damage sustained by the school-building.

8 Feb 1999: At 4.00 a.m. in Sukhum unknown persons using an RPG-26 "OSA" and grenade-launcher GP-25 fired on an empty building beside the Republic of Abkhazia's Ministry of the Interior, bringing down the roof.

12 Feb 1999: At 10.00 a.m. in the village of Bargebi (Gal District) civilians were fired upon by a Georgian terrorist group. As a result O. I. Kvarchia, B. Sh. Shinkuba and N. D. Tsobekhia died on the spot.

14 Feb 1999: At 13.35 in the village of Otobaia 2 (Gal District) a terrorist group used automatic weapons to fire on civilians. As a result Z. P. Cholokua, O. K. Kvarchia, R. G. Inapshba and G. V. Kutarba died on the spot.

14 Feb 1999: At 18.00 in the village of Dikhazurga (Gal District) terrorist group set off a mine on the approach-road. As a result local resident P. M. Beraia perished; her husband, I. Kh. Beraia was taken with serious physical injuries to the Central Republican Hospital in Zugdidi (Mingrelia).

5-6 March 1999: During the night in the village of Lekukhona (Gal District) a Georgian terrorist group consisting of 15-18 persons abducted director of the Lekukhona Middle School, Valeri Budeevich Dzhakhaia (b. 1949).

9 March 1999: At midday in the village of Dikhazurga (Gal District) a Georgian group consisting of 12 persons in military uniform detained residents of the village Chiburkhindzhi Migran Isaevich Antia (b. 1952), Konstantin Malakievich Akubardia (b. 1934) and Gal resident Mirbej Vladimirovich Dzhobaia while travelling in a GAZ-24 vehicle. Then they robbed them of 2,000 rubles and 137 lari, releasing them at midnight.

12 March 1999: In the village Chiburkhindzhi (Gal District) on the road leading from the Ingur post to the town of Gal a terrorist group opened fire with automatic weapons on a Mercedes (registration-number M-2552-AI) under the control of Slavik Vladimirovich Vardania, Deputy-Head of the Gal District's Administration. As a result Murman Bondoevich Koberidze (b. 1964), resident of Gal (7, Lenin St.) and a passenger in the car, received gunshot-wounds to the left leg and was taken to the Central Republican Hospital in Gal.

14 March 1999: At 20.45 an unknown person placed an explosive device under the rails between the sleepers by the platform of the station at Psou. As a result of the explosion a cross-section of rail measuring 20x5 cm. was torn out.

19 March 1999: At 14.25 in the village of Dikhazurga (Gal District) peace-keeping forces of the Russian Federation uncovered and defused a anti-aircraft missile, packed with 30 kilograms of plastic explosive.

21 March 1999: At about 16.40 in the village of Chiburkhindzhi (Gal District) a Mon-100 mine was discovered beside the main road and defused by sappers of the peace-keeping forces of the Russian Federation.

24 March 1999: In the village of Nabakevi (Gal District) a Georgian terrorist group opened fire on a patrol of the Republic of Abkhazia's Ministry of the Interior. As a result of the gunfire senior sergeant of Abkhazian S. Z. Akirtava perished and N. A. Ketia was gravely injured.

30 March 1999: At around 21.00 in the village of Dikhazurga (Gal District) resident of the village R. I. Beraia was caught in an explosion on an antipersonnel mine laid by a Georgian terrorist group. He was taken with serious physical injuries to the Central Republican Hospital in Zugdidi (Mingrelia).

2 April 1999: At 16.30 in the village of Gal a Georgian sabotage-terrorist group activated a remote control explosive device opposite the Gal District's administrative building. As a result R. L. Bebia, I. N. Khagush and O. L. Botsiev, members of the commission for returning the refugees received injuries of varying degrees of intensity.

9 April 1999: At 8.30 a.m. in the village of Chiburkhindzhi (Gal District) a Georgian terrorist group opened fire on a vehicle VAZ-2107 (registration: S-663-MTs-RBG) killing I. K. Pachulia and V. I. Murza-Oghli.

23 April 1999: At 18.30 in the village of Repi (Gal District) a Georgian terrorist group opened fire on a vehicle UAZ-469, causing injury to R. P. Asabua and I. Dzhobava.

11 May 1999: At 9.00 a.m. in the village of Saberio (Gal District) a Georgian terrorist group opened fire with automatic weapons on military observers from the Republic of Abkhazia's Ministry of Defense. As a result A. D. Uratadze and R. V. Pilia received injuries.

16 May 1999: There was an explosion of an indeterminate explosive device near the Republic of Abkhazia's Culture Ministry resulting in the building sustaining material damage.

22 May 1999: At 21.00 in the village of Chiburkhindzhi (Gal District) a Georgian terrorist group opened fire on a vehicle VAZ-2106 (Ja-63-13-AI) causing injury to Z. M. Kishmaria and O. Pilia.

1 June 1999: At roughly 13.30 in the village of Saberio (Gal District) a Georgian terrorist group opened fire on a vehicle UAZ-469 in the service of the defense of the supreme organs of power. As a result O. A. Gogia and D. L. Sangulia perished, and S. V. Injazov was injured.

23 June 1999: At 12.30 in the village of Tsarcha a passenger-bus IAZ-672 without state number-plates travelling from Gal to the village of Chkhortol was blown up on an anti-tank mine laid by a Georgian terrorist group. As a result Dzhaniko Atovich Zarakua (b. 1959), a resident of the village of Chkhortol, and Zoia Cherkezia (patronymic to be established; b. 1964), resident of the village of Tsarcha, died on the spot. Terrible physical injuries were received by: Nukri Gudaevich Chelidze (b. 1957); Bela Grigor'evna Malania (b. 1962); Badri Nukrevich Chelidze (b. 1982) -- all residents of the village of Shashikvara; and Natia Nugzarovna Sharia (b. 1988), resident of the village of Bargebi. The above-named persons were admitted to the Central Republican Hospital in Zugdidi (Mingrelia). Ronald Telovich Cherkezia (b. 1963), resident of the village of Chkhortol, Volodja Ivanovich Kvarandzhia (b. 1942), resident of the village of Chkhortol, the driver of the bus, Mamriko Sandrovich Tarba (b. 1956), resident of the village of Chkhortol, Shota Tengizovich Cherkezia, resident of the village of Chkhortol, Shaliko Jakovlevich Cholaria (b. 1937), resident of the village of Agwbedia, Nonna Shavlovna Berzenia (b. 1976), resident of the village of Reka, were taken to the Central Republican Hospital in Sukhum.

24 June 1999: At about 12.05 while travelling from the village of Chkhortol to the village of Okum (Tkvarchal District) an automobile ZIL-131 without state number-plates was blown up at the moment of passing across the R. Tsarcha on an anti-tank mine laid by a Georgian terrorist group. It was under the control of driver Givi Gozoevich Zarakua (b. 1949). He and passengers Rostavan Korsantievich Gamsonia (b. 1969), Gamaz Al'movich Gamsonia (b. 1981) and Besik Al'movich Gamsonia (b. 1978), all residents of the village of Chkhortol, were taken with injuries of differing degrees of severity to the Central Republican Hospital of the Tkvarchal District.

12 July 1999: At 7.10 a.m. an indeterminate explosive device went off at the Gal District's administrative building causing insignificant material damage to the building. There were no injuries.

11 July 1999: In the village of Pokvesh (Ochamchira District) a vehicle VAZ-2121 was shot at on the approach-road by a Georgian terrorist group using automatic weapons. As a result of the gunfire Demur Kurantenovich Pachulia (b. 1946), resident of the village of Pokvesh (Ochamchira District), and Sharvan Tatikoevich Gvaramia (b. 1945), resident of the same village, died on the spot. Shakro Kurakovich Chitanava (b. 1945), resident of the village of Pokvesh, received serious physical injuries. Afterwards the guilty parties took hostage a cyclist, Jadamur Zakovich Kobakhia (b. 1973), and disappeared in the direction of the village of Reka (Ochamchira District). The procuracy of the Ochamchira District is carrying out the investigation.

13 July 1999: At about 1.00 a.m. in the village of Gal 1 (Tkvarchal District) above the outflow of the hydro-electric dam as they were fulfilling their service-duties the following fell into an ambush of a terrorist group that had infiltrated from the territory of Georgia: Sen. Lieutenant of the Militia Raul Budzhuevich Papava (b. 1952), resident of Tkvarchal (33, Lakoba St., Flat 15), and employee of the damn, Valeri Leontevich Berulava (b. 1949), resident of Tkvarchal (2, Gorky St., Flat 7). As a result of cross-fire they received gunshot-wounds and died on the spot. Measures are being taken to uncover the crime, the investigation being conducted by the procuracy.

1 Aug 1999: In the village of Lekukhona (Gal District) the following employees of the commandant's office of the village of Rechkhi were killed: Dzhumber Veler'janovich Zhordania (b. 1968), resident of the village of Akvaska (Tkvarchal District), and Gennadij Georgievich Chachba (b. 1970), resident of the village Bedia 1 (Tkvarchal District).

5 Aug 1999: At 14.00 in a quarter of the village of Saberio at about 800 meters from the peace-keeping forces' post 205 Sgt. Lorentso Leonidovich Cherkezia (b. 1979), resident of the village of Agwbedia, was killed by an automatic weapon of 7.62 mm calibre fired by a Georgian terrorist group. He was serving in the military detachment 237/988 of the Defence Ministry of the Republic of Abkhazia.

27 Aug 1999: At 23.00 in the village of Tsarcha a Georgian terrorist group infiltrated from the territory of Georgia stopped a blue-coloured car M-412 under the control of Archil Chichikoevich Asabua, resident of the town of Sukhum. Force was applied and Asabua was transported by car to the village of Okum, where he was killed, by placing a grenade F-1 beneath the car's front wheels, the terrorist group escaped.

29 Aug 1999: A car was discovered in the village of Okum, and, while it was being towed away, an explosion occurred. As a result Vjacheslav Indikoevich Cherkezia (b. 1951), resident of the village of Tsarcha, was killed on the spot. Anzor Afrikanovich Asabua (b. 1963), resident of the village of Kwitol, and residents of the town of Sukhum Raul Nurievich Bakhtadze (b. 1963) and Omar Nurievich Bakhtadze (b. 1973) received physical injuries.

1 Sept 1999: At 7.00 a.m. in the village of Tagiloni a Georgian terrorist group shot at a Zhiguli car travelling from the base at the post at "Fati" under the control of Nodar Valer'janovich Tsanba (b. 1954), resident of the town of Sukhum, customs' officer at the customs' post "Tagiloni". As a result Tsanba died of his wounds at the spot. The passengers seated in the car, Arkadij Jasonovich Karkhalava (b. 1963), Beslan Lushevich Koghonia (b. 1964), and Raul Akakievich Chagava were admitted with physical injuries to the Central Republican Hospital in Sukhum.

14 Aug 1999: A Georgian terrorist group engaged in cross-fire with the guards of the administration of the village of Shesheleti. As a result of the terrorist act the house-museum of N. I. Vekua was burned down.

14 Sept 1999: At 14.00 while moving employees of the Republic of Abkhazia's Interior Ministry to the post "Nabakevi" on the Tagiloni-Nabakevi road, repair-works were being carried out by workers of the Gal rural authorities together with peace-keeping forces of the Russian Federation. During the course of these a mine laid earlier by a Georgian terrorist group went off. As a result of the explosion the following received physical injuries: Colonel of the Militia of the Republic of Abkhazia's Interior Ministry Daur Varlamovich Shlarba, Andrej Petrovich Tolstykh, on military service with the Russian Federation's peace-keeping forces, and Junior Sgt. Vladimir Sergeevich Smetanin.

27 Sept 1999: At about 10.30 a.m. in the village of Tagiloni (Gal District) Vitalij Shalvovich Khintuba (b. 1955), resident of the town of Tkvarchal and employee of the customs' post, was killed by automatic fire. Travelling to the scene of the incident, an operational group of the Gal regional division of the Interior Ministry was also shot at. As a result employee of this organisation, Dmitrij Rudikovich Golandzia (b. 1968), was wounded.

19 Oct 1999: At 14.00 in the village of Tagiloni fire was opened from an ambush by a Georgian terrorist group on a car VAZ-2106 (registration-number O-20-05-AI) under the control of Omar Dzadzua. As a result passenger Zaza Bidzinovich Kvarchakhia (b. 1961), Guntr Mkhazovich Kiria (b. 1940) and Zuri Kishmaria were wounded.

1 Nov 1999: In the village of Upper Eshera (Sukhum District) a terrorist act was perpetrated on a section of the road at 8.45 a.m. when an explosive device was detonated as the Vice-Premier of the Republic of Abkhazia, K. K. Ozgan, was travelling in a service-vehicle on his way to Sukhum. There were no injuries.

11 Nov 1999: In the town of Ochamchira an explosive device went off beneath the stairs leading to the 2nd floor of the town's administrative building. The building sustained material damage.

24 Nov 1999: At 10.00 a.m. in the village of Nabakevi of the Gal Region between posts 202 and 209 a "Ural" vehicle belonging to the Russian Federation's peace-keeping forces was blown up on a MON-100 mine, laid by a Georgian terrorist group, and then shot at with automatic weapons. There were no injuries.

25 Nov 1999: At 14.40 in the village of Nabakevi while moving a relief of the Republic of Abkhazia's Interior Ministry a UAZ-452 vehicle and a KAVZ bus were shot at by a Georgian terrorist group using granade launchers RPG-7 and RPG-25. There were no victims.

1 Dec 1999: In the village of Achigvara a VAZ-2105 (registration-number 0-31-47-AI) under the control of Khivdara Ivanovich Dzhindzholia (b. 1928), Lieut.-Colonel of the Republic of Abkhazia's Defence Ministry, resident of the town of Tkvarchal, was blown up on a mine. As a result of the explosion Kh. I. Dzhindzholia and his passengers Aleksandr Khivdarovich Dzhindzholia (b. 1950), Georgij Bagratovich Kikoria (b. 1948), Rezo Damantovich Abshilava (b. 1963) and Dzhubabaev died on the spot.

10 Dec 1999: At 21.30 a blasting cartridge equivalent to 200 grams of explosive was tossed into the basement-entrance of 19, Gogol Street, belonging to V. K. Dzhenia-Abaza. The building received minor damage.

12 Dec 1999: At 10.12 an indeterminate explosive device went off in the 1st entrance to 9, Chachba Street. As a result the building sustained minor damage.

20 Dec 1999: At about 15.00 in the village of Chuburkhindzhi (Gal District) a group of 8 persons took hostage Raul Shotovich Keburia (b. 1958), resident of the village of Tkhina (Ochamchira District), and a woman with a child. They were taken to the territory of the Republic of Georgia.

20 Dec 1999: At 16.45 an explosive device was laid beneath the staircase of a structure adjacent to the building of the Ochamchira regional organisation of the Interior Ministry. As a result of the explosion the building sustained minor material damage.

29 Dec 1999: At 19.04 in Sukhum an indeterminate explosive device of 100 grams equivalent explosive power went off near 39, Victory Street. There were no injuries.

2000

2000 1 Jan 2000: At about 14.30 on the highway in the village of Achigvara (Ochamchira District) an Ikarus bus belonging to the Gal bus-depot was blown up on a mine laid by a Georgian terrorist group. The bus was seriously damaged, but there were no casualties.

16 Jan 200: On the highway in the village of Chuburkhindzhi (Gal District) a vehicle VAZ-21011 (registration: RA-00-22) was shot at by a Georgian terrorist group with automatic weapons. As a result of the gunfire physical injuries of varying degrees of severity were received by privates of the Republic of Abkhazia's Ministry of Defence: Z. A. Chikvatia and O. S. Buava, whilst Z. G. Shonia died on the spot of injuries received.

24 Jan 2000: At 16.30 in the village of Khumushkur (Gal District) a UAZ-469 vehicle (registration: A-0982-AI) was shot at near post 103 of the Russian Federation's peace-keeping forces by a Georgian terrorist group. As a result Z. A. Gvaramia, employee of the Gal District's administration, received bullet-wounds.

25 Jan 2000: At about 11.00 a.m. in the village of Dikhazurga (Gal District) a VAZ-2121 Niva car was shot at by a Georgian terrorist group. As a result privates of the Republic of Abkhazia's Ministry of Defence Lieut. E. M. Bigvava and soldier A. S. Bigvava perished.

25 Jan 2000: At approximately 17.00 near the central bridge over the R. Ingur a Georgian terrorist group captured and conveyed onto the territory of Georgia R. L. Tsvejba, R. R. Dbar, G. B. Ashkhatsava, G. Kakubava and G. Vanacha; as a consequence R. L. Tsvejba, R. R. Dbar and G. Kakubava were murdered.

1 March 2000: At about 18.30 in the village of Chuburkhindzhi (Gal District) a GAZ-2402 vehicle (registration: 0-49-49) was shot at with automatic weapons by a Georgian terrorist group. As a result of the gunfire the driver, Murman Anesovich Buava, received gunshot wounds.

6 April 2000: At 18.10 in the village of Chuburkhindzhi (Gal District) a VAZ-21011 vehicle under the control of Givi Grigor'evich Smyr (b. 1976), ensign of the frontier-service, was shot at with automatic weapons by a Georgian terrorist group. As a result the driver G. G. Smyr, and passenger Aris Amotovich Uzljan (b. 1981), also doing military service in the frontier-service, received grave physical injuries, whilst passenger Guliver Khutaevich Dzandzava (b. 1952) died on the spot.

14 April 2000: At 14.00 in the village Tagiloni 3 (in the village of Chuburkhindzhi, Gal District) a Georgian terrorist group shot with automatic weapons at a UAZ-452 vehicle and KAVZ bus belonging to the Gal regional section of the Interior Ministry. Inside were operatives of the Republic of Abkhazia's Interior Ministry, and as a result the following were killed: Lieutenant L. V. Tsarmania, Sergant T. G. Elerdzhia, Sergant G. G. Chitaia, private E. G. Dzhdanov, private K. V. Rodonaia, Sergant A. V. Brjukhovetskij and private N. K. Silojan, whilst injuries of varying degrees of severity were taken by: Sergant I. A. Ladaria, private G. g. Datseljan and private A. G. Delianildi.

24 April 2000: At 11.30 a.m. in the village of Repi (Gal District) citizen Z. S. Margania, while working in his own garden-plot, was blown up on an anti-personnel mine laid by a Georgian terrorist group.

26 April 2000: AT 16.00 near the village of Saberio (Gal District) a UAZ-469 vehicle belonging to the Gal OSGB (Unit of State Security Service), was shot at by a Georgian terrorist group using automatic weapons. As a result privates of the State Border Guards A. V. Chichba, I. Z. Khagba and citizen I. Kvachakhia perished on the spot. Militiaman V. A. Zelenskij received gunshot-wounds.

30 April 2000: At 23.00 in the village of Primorsk (Gal District) post 5 of the Republic of Abkhazia's Defence Ministry came under automatic weapons' fire. As a result privates Kh. V. Shlarba and D. I. Kuprava, doing service for the Republic of Abkhazia's Ministry of Defence, died on the spot of injuries received, whilst R. Z. Kharchilava received injuries of varying degrees of intensity.

Headquarters of the Republic of Abkhazia's Interior Ministry