Former Kodori Gorge State Representative alleges secret agreement between Saakashvili, Putin in 2006

Georgian Parliament’s Temporary Investigative Commission examining alleged crimes committed by the former United National Movement Government between 2003 and 2012 on Thursday reviewed the 2008 August War with Russia.

During a session, Emzar Kvitsiani, the former State Representative in the Kodori Gorge, made a striking statement regarding an alleged secret agreement between the then-Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2006.

His remarks came in response to a question posed by the Commission's Chair Thea Tsulukiani, who inquired whether the disarmament and neutralisation of the Kodori and Dali Gorge residents, as well as the introduction of heavy military equipment without proper planning, was an act of negligence or a deliberate move to facilitate occupation.

In his testimony, Kvitsiani claimed to possess significant factual information and suggested that further details could be revealed if the investigation showed interest.

“I will tell you another interesting fact. On June 13, 2006, Saakashvili and Putin met in Sochi. Do you know anything about this? They went out to sea and were there for two hours. When he returned from there, he came to Georgia, and the military drills [at Orpolo] were launched immediately. This is where it was all negotiated”, he claimed.

Kvitsiani further elaborated on his suspicions regarding the preparation for the alleged cession of Georgian territories. He criticised the reforms within the Georgian army, claiming they led to the dismissal of experienced specialists and the appointment of amateurs.