CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED DUE TO SCUFFLES BETWEEN ARMENIANS AND
ADZHARIANS OF TSALKA GEORGIAN REGION
13.05.2004 17:25
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Criminal proceedings are instituted on facts of
scuffles between the Armenian and Adzharian populations of the Tsalka
Georgian region May 9, A-Info news agency reported. According to
the source, at present the passions have relatively settled down. As
Chairman of the regional administration Razmik Hanesian assures, the
contingent of internal forces in the region was not increased. 150
soldiers of internal forces, brought in the other day, will stay for
several days. However, the Adzharian community of the region continues
expressing concern, stating “Armenians have arms and these should be
taken away.” Meanwhile, the Armenian population says Adzharians are
armed, citing a range of cases, when arms were used against them
“for the purpose of frightening.” Georgian Minister of Internal
Affairs Georgy Baramidze has arrived in the Tsalka region May 13
to familiarize with the situation at the scene. Besides, Armenian
deputy from Tsalka region Hayk Meltonian is expected to discuss
the question with Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania or National
Security Minister Zurab Merabishvili in the evening. It should be
reminded that May 9 in the regional center of Tsalka (Eastern Georgia)
after a football match between young residents of local villages a
scuffle between Adzharians and Armenians took place. As a result,
10 were injured.