Batumi-Based Military Unit’s New Commander Appointed

Georgian Defense Minister Gela Bezhuashvili appointed Victor Mikeladze as a commander of the 25th Armored-Mechanized Brigade, which is deployed in Batumi.  

Defense Ministry denies speculations that the Batumi-based 25th brigade is out of central authorities’ control. “The brigade’s servicemen are under subordination of Defense Ministry,” Irakli Chikovani, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry told Civil Georgia.
 
Former commander of the 25th brigade, General Roman Dumbadze was relieved of his command on 3 April by the direct order of Defense Minister Gela Bezhuashvili after being accused of insubordination for reportedly siding with Adjarian leader Abashidze during a standoff between Tbilisi and Batumi in March. 

Later on, President Saakashvili used his authority as supreme commander of the armed forces to dismiss Gen. Dumbadze from the military service.

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