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What is the Value of Georgian Soldier? A Mere 65 GEL for his Children

December 1, 2008

Nana Pazhava, Zugdidi

Koba Sergia, commander of the battalion # 41 within under Brigade # 4 of the Georgian armed forces was killed during the August Georgian-Russian war.. He was killed on August 9, 2008 during military operations near the village of Nikozi, South Ossetia. His relatives have been looking for him for 3 months. It was learned that Sergia was one of those soldiers who were buried on Mukhatgverdi Cemetery of Unknown Soldiers. The soldier 27/27 was identified only after a conclusive DNA test was conducted. He left two young sons behind and a grieving wife. His wife does not appreciate that the lost of her husband is rewarded by the government a mere 65 – the value of a fallen Georgian hero.

Family members of Koba Sergia, captain of the armed forces, finally learned about the location of the battalion commander at 1:00 AM on August 6. Soldiers of Battalion # 41, of Brigade # 4 were recruits from Vazinani Military Base who were ordered to South Ossetia to fight.

Tamar Chokoraia, wife of Koba: “I was looking for my husband for three months, starting fromAugust 6. I was seeking him among alive, dead and missing or unknown soldiers. I visited almost every hospital in Georgia. I saw bodies of many dead soldiers but could not find my Koba.”

The family learned about the death of Koba from his comrades in arms late in October. The Ministry of Defense confirmed the dear of Sergia with a death certificated issued for the killed captain during the war operations near Nikozi. However, the family did not have information about the disposition of the body.

Relatives of Sergia tried to look for the grave of the captain at the Mukhatgverdi cemetery. Late in September family of Koba Sergia faced some problems when they looked for his remains among the dead soldiers that had been recovered from the Tskhinvali region with the support of the Georgian Patriarchate.

Nato Chokoraia, sister of the widow: “We heard about religious service for dead soldiers conducted by clergymen at the Mukhatgverdi Cemetery on TV. My brother and I went there but nobody from governmental officials attended the service. We spent four hours there hoping somebody would appear at the cemetery and tell us anything about Koba. The whole family was struggling to discover Koba among unknown soldiers and it could be confirmed by DNA testing. Unfortunately, everybody avoided meeting with us.”

At the end of October results of DNA test on Luka Sergia, son of the dead commander coincided with the test results of his father with 99, 99 % degree of accuracy. Finally, it was estimated that soldier 27/27 among unknown soldiers was Koba Sergia.

Nato Chokoraia: “When we planned to carry away the body the officials from the Defense Ministry refused us. I do not know why they created obstacles for us. Ten days later we received permit but faced new problems. We wanted to bury him back to Mukhatgverdi Cemetery next to his co-warriors but the place was not assigned as cemetery for individuals.

Koba Sergia was finally buried at Saburtalo Cemetery. The state apportioned 15, 000 GEL as a reimbursement of the burial to the family of Sergias. However, after that the family faced another problem. Widow of Koba Sergia considers that the pension estimated by the government for the sons of the killed soldier is too small.

Tamar Chokoraia: “How can I bring up my sons with 65 GEL?! Furthermore we live in Jikia str. 8 in Tbilisi in compactly residing building and do not have my own house. Thus I refused to take the pension. I was told at the Defense Ministry if I do not accept the amount we will lose everything. I was terrified. Wives of other soldiers had applied for the pension through civil process and I was suggested to do the same. In this case state assigns 55 GEL for each child. I do not know what to do with 110 GEL either?!”

Koba Sergia’s family knows that the commander of Brigade # 41 was nominated for Vakhtang Gorgasali Award following his death. However, the issue is being discussed and it is not reported when it will happen.

Koba Sergia was decorated with awards in his life for military deeds. After graduating military academy he served in Iraq. He was decorated with high award from US government for his bravery in a foreign country.

The fact that similar soldiers should be particularly respected was confirmed by President Mikheil Saakashvili on November 28, 2008 at his meeting with the parliamentary commission investigating the events that occurred during August war in South Ossetia. The president did not forget the children of the fallen soldiers who should be proud for their hero fathers. They should also be proud of the country for which their fathers sacrificed their young lives. The president promised the children of heroes to spend last resources to provide them a life in honor and normal living conditions.

However, first of all the families of dead soldiers should feel the respect from the government. They should already see the promise of Mikheil Saakashvili coming true. Unfortunately, however, these people do not believe in such promises and that does not help them in their grief.

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