Georgia military mutiny, 1998
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The Georgian military mutiny of October 1998 was an abortive attempt of a rebellion organized by a group of officers led by Colonel Akaki Eliava in the western Georgia against the government of President Eduard Shevardnadze.
The mutiny had its roots to the Georgian civil war, 1991-1993. Akaki Eliava, a leader of the revolt, was among the most active supporters of the late president Zviad Gamsakhurdia, ousted in a coup in 1992, and defeated in a subsequent attempt to regain the power in 1993. Eliave was arrested, but later granted amnesty and he rejoined Georgia’s armed forces.
On October 18, 1998, approximately 200 Georgian soldiers led by A. Eliava left their barracks at the town of Senaki, western Georgia, and marched on Kutaisi, the second largest city of the country. The government forces intercepted the rebels before reaching the city. Next day, after a brief shootout which left at least one rebel dead, the mutineers agreed to return to their barracks. 31 rebels were arrested, but Colonel Eliava and his 30 followers escaped.
