Georgia: Remains of 12 people missing in connection with 1992–93 armed conflict handed over to families

This was possible as part of the humanitarian Coordination Mechanism on Persons Unaccounted For in Connection with the Events of 1992–1993 Armed Conflict and After, involving Abkhaz and Georgian participants, operating with the ICRC's support since 2010.

In a meeting held at Levan Samkharauli National Forensics Bureau, the families had the opportunity to ask questions and receive information about the process of the search, recovery of remains and identification of their loved ones. The state minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia, representatives of the National Forensics Bureau and ICRC experts attended the meeting.

"Our thoughts are with the families. On behalf of the ICRC, I would like to express our deepest condolences to those who have finally received the remains of their loved ones. We are also thinking about all the other families, whose relatives are still unaccounted for and who are still struggling because of the uncertainty."

"We will continue working closely with the Georgian authorities as this year they will take up further responsibility in providing support to the families of the missing persons and in the forensic identification process. Throughout 2024 and together with the authorities, we will also continue informing, consulting and listening to the families of the missing so that their opinions and concerns be taken into consideration," - said Anne Montavon, Head of ICRC delegation in Georgia.

Since the inception of the coordination mechanism in 2010, working in connection with the 1992–93 armed conflict in Abkhazia, the remains of 285 people have been identified and handed over to their families. In total 1859 people, including military personnel and civilians, are still reported as missing in connection with the armed conflict of 1992–93.