Body of ex-Georgian president found; died mysteriously in '92
GROZNY, Russia -- The body of a former Georgian president who was overthrown in 1992 and died the following year under mysterious circumstances was unearthed Saturday in the Chechen capital, his son said.
Zviad Gamsakhurdia was elected as Georgia's first president in 1991 but was overthrown in a popular uprising in January 1992. He fled to
Chechnya, where he was friends with local leaders, then returned to Georgia where he led an unsuccessful rebellion aimed at returning to power
At the time of this death in 1993, his widow said her husband committed suicide after being surrounded by troops loyal to his archrival, Georgian leader Eduard Shevardnadze. Georgian officials contended that Gamsakhurdia was shot by his own supporters during a quarrel. Recently his relatives have alleged he was murdered, according to Russian media reports.
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Zviad Gamsakhurdia was elected as Georgia's first president in 1991 but was overthrown in a popular uprising in January 1992. He fled to
Chechnya, where he was friends with local leaders, then returned to Georgia where he led an unsuccessful rebellion aimed at returning to power
At the time of this death in 1993, his widow said her husband committed suicide after being surrounded by troops loyal to his archrival, Georgian leader Eduard Shevardnadze. Georgian officials contended that Gamsakhurdia was shot by his own supporters during a quarrel. Recently his relatives have alleged he was murdered, according to Russian media reports.