Defence Ministry: Military officials in controversial video might be suspended

Two of the military officials shown in the scandalous video that leaked on the internet overnight are still in office.

The men are Brigadier General Davit Nairahsvili and Colonel Shmagi Telia.

The Georgian Defence Ministry said the men might be suspended following results of an investigation.

Nairahsvili currently serves as Georgia’s military representative to the United Kingdom, while Telia is a member of the Georgian Armed Forces.

The secret video showed both men participating in a planning session of a special military operation, where Georgia’s ex-Prime Minister Vano Merabishvili ordered men in military uniform to bring him "two dead bodies”.

The Chief Prosecutor’s Office said today the ex-PM’s request appeared to be an illegal order and have begun an investigation into the incident.

Deputy Defence Minister Tamar Karosanidze said both would be suspended if it was necessary during the investigation process.

Nairashvili is a former deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces. From 2000 to 2004 he served as Georgia’s first representative to NATO. From March 2007 to September 2008 Nairashvili commanded the Georgian Air Force which saw combat action in the August 2008 war with Russia. In April 2009, he was decorated with Georgia’s highest military award – St. George’s Victory Order – for his conduct during the war.

Telia was a Commander for the Georgian Ground Forces in 2009. Before this he served as Head of the National Guard of Georgia and also deputy Chief of the Georgian Joint Staff. He has been awarded medals for "Military Bravery", "Military Service" and "Meritorious Service in the Defence System”.

It is believed the video, which was leaked on Youtube last night, was taken while the former government was trying to neutralize the mutiny by a Georgian Army tank Battalion based in Mukhrovani on May 5, 2009 also known as Mukhrovani Case. As a result, one of the rebels was killed during the operation and two others were wounded.

Former PM Vano Merabishvili, former Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili, ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili and the suspended Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava are pictured in the video. It also showed former head of the Constitutional Security Department Data Ahalaia and former head of the Criminal Police Erekle Kodua participate in the operation.