Ex-security officials detained for 2008 polling day blast in Georgia

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Two former high officials of the State Security Agency of Georgia have been detained on the basis of arranging the terrorist act in the village Khurcha, Zugdidi district, near the breakaway region of Abkhazia. This occurred the day of the 2008 parliamentary elections held in Georgia.

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The preliminary investigation revealed that on 21 May 2008, Roman Shamatava, with the high officials of the Interior Ministry of Georgia, organized and executed the terrorist act. This created the danger to human life, property damage, and encroachment of public safety.

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The attack took place on a football field in the village of Khurcha. Two minibuses carrying voters from Nabakevi village, in Gali district located in the separatist controlled territory. They were in transit to the polling stations located in the city of Zugdidi in the Samegrelo region. Upon arrival to the football field, they came under attack by small arms fire and grenades. Three people had to be hospitalized in Zugdidi, one of whom was seriously injured.

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The Interior Ministry said that Roman Shamatava and Malkhaz Murgulia were arrested on terrorism charges. Investigation was launched for the crime envisaged by the article 323, part II and III of the Criminal Code of Georgia. The crime is punishable with 15 to 20 year of imprisonment or lifetime imprisonment.

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According to Nino Giorgobiani, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior Affairs, Shamatava and Murgulia with other accomplices were gathered in a nearby area in order to conduct their planned terrorist act.They made two shots with grenades and fired at the buses which caused panic among the people.

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During the high profile TV coverage later that day while voting booths were open, Georgian officials claimed that the attack was carried out by Abkhaz forces. Several investigations later showed that the incident was most likely staged by unknown Georgian servicemen.The allegation was further strengthened by a UN probe.

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The UN Security Council report says in 2008 : "Missions investigation into this incident was able to establish the locations from which the attackers fired, approximately 100 metres from the buses, on the Georgian-controlled side of the ceasefire line. While no hard evidence has been found so far regarding the identity of the perpetrators, inconsistencies in the circumstances surrounding the incident, in particular the fact that the incident was filmed in such a way as to suggest that events were anticipated rather than simply recorded as they were happening, require UNOMIG to continue its investigation."

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