Georgia’s Defense Ministry Calls Off Search for Missing Soldiers

TBILISI – Georgia’s Defense Ministry has called off its search and rescue operation for two soldiers who went missing almost two weeks ago during military exercises on the country’s Black Sea coast, near the border with Turkey.

A defense ministry spokesman said that after 11 days of extensive search, they were unable to find the bodies of Special Forces Corporal Iago Sharadze and Private First Class Giorgi Nanetashvili.

The two soldiers are believed to have drowned during scheduled amphibious combat drills on the coast of the Black Sea on August 16.

Turkish Navy officials, who also took part in the search, also said they were suspending their operations following a request from the Georgian Armed Forces.

“According to the Turks, it is pointless to continues with the search and rescue operation as all available resources have been exhausted,” the statement said.

Sharadze’s father told local media shortly after his son’s disappearance that his 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 had 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