Militant’s sister held on arms charge

Unrest continued in the breakaway region of Georgia's Kodori Gorge. The sister of the area’s former governor, Emzar Kvitsiani – wanted by Georgian security forces – faces two months of custodial arrest.

Nora Kvitsiani was charged with setting up and commanding an illegal paramilitary unit, and with storing firearms. She was detained in her native village in the gorge on Friday. In court, Nora Kvitsiani said the weapons found in her house belonged to her husband. He died eight years ago.

Until 2005, Nora Kvitsiani worked for a local administration controlled by forces loyal to Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. In recent weeks, she openly expressed support for her brother when he refused to lay down arms and leave the gorge, defying the demands of the Georgian defence ministry.