Arrest Warrant Issued for Mutineer Military Commander

Georgian General Prosecutor Irakli Okruashvili said that Supreme Court has issued arrest warrant for former commander of the Batumi-based 25th Brigade Maj. Gen. Roman Dumbadze, who has refused to obey Defense Ministry’s orders.

“Roman Dumbadze is accused of treason, misuse of power and illegal possession of arms,” chief prosecutor told a press conference on April 20.

Maj. Gen. Roman Dumbadze, who was dismissed as a commander of the 25th Armored-Mechanized Brigade, deployed in Adjarian capital Batumi, has officially announced his insubordination to the Defense Ministry orders.

“The 25th brigade is subordinated only to the [Adjarian leader] Aslan Abashidze,” he said at a news conference in Batumi on April 19.

Aslan Abashidze’s opposition Our Adjara movement alleged on April 20 that the leader of the defiant Autonomy intends to set up an Adjarian Defense Ministry on the bases of the 25th Brigade.