16:15, 23 December 2003

Head of village administration fell victim to terrorists in Gali district

The body of Gagida village administration head Abel Gogua, who disappeared on December 20, was found with traces of violent death on the border between the villages of Nanargali, the Gali district and Ganmukhuri, the Zugdidi district on December 21.

According to witnesses, 53-year-old Abel Gogua was abducted by gunmen, who arrived at Gagida in a UAZ car, on Saturday December 20. As it has become known, Abel Gogua has repeatedly turned to Abkhazian law-enforcement agencies, complaining that Georgian criminal groups are threatening him and demanding money, nuts, and citruses from him. Law-enforcement agencies believe the murder of the Gagida village administration head was committed by one of the Georgian gangs based on the territory of the Zugdidi district, Georgia.

Editors note: See also the article "Political processes in Georgia contribute to worsening of situation in Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone".

Author: Anzhela Kuchuberiya, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot