Abkhazeti

Guram Gabiskiria was the last major of Sokhumi before it fell to separatist militants of September 27, 1993. Born and raised in Sokhumi, Guram was appointed as major of the city during the most difficult times. The savage war was ragged against ethnic Georgian population of Abkhazia since 1992 and little hope of peaceful settlement of the conflict existed in the besieged Sokhumi. Guram became major of Sokhumi in 1993, while organizing defence strategy for the city and its surroundings. By mid-summer of 1993, Sokhumi was surrounded by the separatist militants and their allies from North Caucasus and Russia. Trapped in the besieged city, Guram Gabiskiria along with other member of Abkhaz Government refused to abandon their city to the blood hungry militants. The evacuation of civilians was top priority for the Sokhumi authorities. The Georgian military presence in Sokhumi was at minimal due to Russian mediated agreement which obliged the Georgian side to withdraw its heavy artillery and tanks from the city. The Abkhaz side was equally responsible for holding their military operation and withdraw its troops from the surrounding areas of Sokhumi. However, as previously (as in Gagra case) Abkhaz separatist side violated the agreement and launched full scale attack on Sokhumi.