Georgia Confirms Gamsakhurdia Death
The Georgian government confirmed the death of ousted President Zviad Gamsakhurdia, saying his body was dug up Thursday from a shallow grave in western Georgia for reburial in southern Russia.
A joint commission from Georgia and Russia’s Chechnya region, and accompanying journalists, identified the partially decomposed body, which had a gunshot wound through the head. “Unfortunately, I am certain that this is the body of Zviad Konstantinovich Gamsakhurdia,” said Guram Sharidze, a member of the delegation.
Gamsakhurdia, who had lived in exile in Chechnya since being overthrown in January, 1992, waged an unsuccessful campaign to return to power last fall. His widow, Manana, announced in January that he had committed suicide Dec. 31.
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