Two Georgian Servicemen Go Missing During Training Exercise

GONIO, Georgia - Two Georgian servicement went missing Tuesday night during military exercises on the country’s Black Sea coast, near the border with Turkey, the Defense Ministry said in an official statement.

According to the statement, Special Forces members Corporal Iago Sharadze and Private First Class Giorgi Nanetashvili disappeared after taking part in scheduled amphibious combat drills.

Georgia’s Military Police and Special Operations Groups are currently carrying out a search and rescue operation in tandem with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The Georgian Government has also requested help from US forces assigned to the Special Operations Command Europe.

Sharadze’s father told local media, that his son was a good swimmer and only the negligence of the trainers could have been responsible for Sharadze disappearance.

“I heard about this tragedy three hours ago. My son apparently went missing because of the negligence of his instructors. If they had thoroughly explained everything in advance and gave him instructions he would be alive,” Sharadze’s father said.

Military Police officials said Wednesday that an investigation into the cause of death has been launched under Article 116 of the Georgian Criminal Code.

The code specifically covers deaths related to negligence.

By Tamar Svanidze
Edited by Nicholas Waller