46 Soldiers of Abashidze’s Elite Troops Flee Adjara

Deputy Security Minister Gigi Ugulava said on April 27 that 46 soldiers of Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze’s elite special purpose unit fled Adjara and arrived in Tbilisi.

“This unit is the best-trained and best-equipped, which is under the direct subordination of Aslan Abashidze. This special purpose unit, consisting of up to 300-400 soldiers was trained by Russian Maj. Gen. Netkachov and is a powerbase for Abashidze’s regime,” Gigi Ugulava said at a news briefing, which was also attended by those 46 soldiers, who arrived in Tbilisi on April 27.

He also said that formally Abashidze’s elite troops are illegal, as officially they are not under Georgia’s Defense, or Interior Ministry’s subordination and have no status.
 
“All the soldiers serving in this unit should know that unit is illegal. However, if they defy Aslan Abashidze’s orders and arrive in Tbilisi, they will be allowed to continue service in the official troops here in Tbilisi,” Gigi Ugulava said at a news briefing.

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