Armenians attacked in Tsalka

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
March 10 2006

ARMENIANS ATTACKED IN TSALKA

March 9 an attack was launched against citizens of Armenian
nationality in the city of Tsalka (regional center of Tsalka Region,
Georgia). As a result of the onslaught one person was killed and two
injured.
23-year-old Gevorg Gevorgyan died; 25-year-old V. Sahakyan and K.
Baloyan were taken to hospital with severe injuries. 7 hours after
the incident Baloyan was delivered to a city hospital in Tbilisi.
According to eye-witnesses, a group of Armenians was attacked by
about 15 people. The victims do not know the reasons for the assault,
however, in their opinion, they were assaulted by Adjarian or Swani
settlers.
Georgian Ministry of Home Affairs special subdivisions dislocated in
the Tsalka region did not make arrangements to prevent from the
bloodshed.
In connection with the incident the Tsalka region police instituted
proceedings. Besides, the roads connecting the regional center with
the Tsalka region villages inhabited by Armenians have been closed.