Zurab Zhvania

Zurab Zhvania

Death

Circumstances

Zhvania died early in the morning of February 3, 2005 of carbon monoxide poisoning, apparently due to an inadequately ventilated gas heater. He was in the home of Raul Usupov, deputy governor of Georgia's Kvemo Kartli region, at the time. Usupov also died. A few hours after the incident, the Associated Press said there was "no sign of foul play".

Related Topics:
February 3 - 2005 - Carbon monoxide - Raul Usupov - Kvemo Kartli - Associated Press

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Guards entered the house after there was no word from Zhvania for several hours to find him in an armchair and Usupov in the kitchen. Details of the incident are still limited, although officials have said there was a gas-powered heating stove in the main room of the house, where a table was set up with a backgammon set lying open upon it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Speaking live on Rustavi-2 television, Georgia's Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili said, "it was a sudden accident". The bodies were taken to the coroner's office, where a preliminary examination showed both died from carbon monoxide poisoning. There were reports of serious technical violations when the gas heaters were installed, with officials saying there was no ventilation in the apartment.

Related Topics:
Vano Merabishvili - Carbon monoxide

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Aftermath

President Mikhail Saakashvili, at an emergency Cabinet meeting, said, "In Zurab Zhvania, Georgia has lost a great patriot, who devoted his entire life to serving the motherland. Zurab's death is a great blow to Georgia and to me personally. I lost a very close friend, a reliable adviser and a great ally. I want to call on you all to be strong, because there is no greater responsibility than loyal service to our country and our people."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~