Emzar Kvitsiani

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Emzar Kvitsiani was a Georgian warlord in the Kodori Gorge.

[edit] 2006 Kodori crisis

see: 2006 Kodori crisis

A former envoy of Eduard Shevardnadze (former president of Georgia, resigned as a result of the Rose Revolution) who declared disobedience to the Georgian government. Together with roughly 200 armed supporters, Kvitsiani showed armed resistance to the government forces, who came to Kodori gorge to disarm Kvitsiani’s gang. Kvitsiani opened fire on the Special Forces jointly commanded by the Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili and Defence Minister Irakli Okruashvili. In the aftermath of the operation Kvitsiani escaped from the spot, leaving a considerable amount of weapons behind, including Russian IGLA and STRELA anti-aircraft guns. It is suspected that Kvitsiani received these weapons and other support from Abkhaz separatists, who themselves are well supported by Russia. Emzar Kvitsiani is wanted by Georgian Police who have offered a reward of 100,000 Lari (~60,000 USD) to whoever provides information about his whereabouts and help police capture the militiaman.