Sukhumi massacre The Sukhumi massacre took place on September 27 , 1993 , during and after the fall of Sukhumi into separatist hands in the course of the War in Abkhazia . It was perpetrated against Georgian civilians of Sukhumi , mainly by militia forces of Abkhaz separatists , their North Caucasian and Russia n allies . It became part of a violent ethnic cleansing campaign carried out by the separatists . Events . On September 27 , 1993 , separatist forces violated the ceasefire initiated by the United Nations and guaranteed by the Russian Federation , which barred both sides from performing military operations . As part of the ceasefire , Georgian forces had withdrawn their heavy artillery and tanks from Sukhumi . Abkhaz , Confederation of Mountain Peoples of the Caucasus , Cossack and Russian militants stormed Sukhumi early in the morning . Confronted by large numbers of combatants , the Georgian army units that remained in the city were unable to prevent the separatist advance into the city . By noon , separatist militants and their allies had taken over television buildings and bridges . Georgian forces retreated to the Government building of the Abkhazian Autonomous Republic , where they intended to provide security for members of Abkhazian Autonomous Republic Government . By late afternoon , the city was overrun by separatists and their allies . Placing their hopes on the ceasefire , a large number of civilians remained in the city . The separatists and their allies started to sweep through the streets of Sukhumi rounding up all civilians that they found . Men , women and children were executed in the streets , on the roads and inside their own apartments , houses and back yards . According to the witnesses , many people became objects of torture , and some were forced to watch as their own family members were killed — children in front of their parents , and parents in front of their children . Women became targets of sadistic rape . Refugees recall people being burned to death , disembowelled and dismembered while still alive The massacres occurred in the city park , in front of the governmental building , in schools and hospitals . Almost all members of the Abkhaz government ( those who refused to leave the city ) , Zhiuli Shartava , Guram Gabiskiria , Mamia Alasania , and Raul Eshba were captured and executed . The 1994 U . S . State Department Country Reports also describes scenes of massive human rights abuse : Aftermath . Eduard Shevardnadze fled the city only just before the arrival of separatist forces , having earlier committed to try to remain there as long as possible . Soon the forces overran the whole territory of Abkhazia , except a small region of the Kodori Gorge ( which remained under the control of the Tbilisi government until August 2008 ) . The total defeat of the Georgian government forces was followed by ethnic cleansing of Georgian population . More than 250 , 000 refugees ( mainly Georgians ) were forced out of Abkhazia . Violence continued in 1994 despite an agreement between the Georgian and Abkhazian governments for the deployment of a peacekeeping force from the Commonwealth of Independent States . Chechen militants who had fought on the side of Abkhazia later took part in the First Chechen War . Perpetrators . There are a number of conflicting claims as to whether the massacre was conducted by Abkhaz militias or those of their Russian and North Caucasian allies . Allegedly , the commander of the separatist forces , partly responsible for the massacre was the deputy defence minister and " hero " of Abkhazia Shamil Basaev . According to witness testimonies , the militants spoke North Caucasian languages and Russian . However , some refugees who survived the massacre have claimed that they recognized their Abkhaz and Armenian neighbours collaborating with the militants during the massacres in various neighbourhoods . Many people recall the commands given by Russian officers : " Do not take prisoners alive ! " Houses and land owned by Georgians were ransacked and taken over by the Abkhaz , Russians , Cossacks and other newcomers . These allegations are currently being investigated by the International Criminal Court in the Hague . The Organization for Security and Co - operation in Europe ( OSCE ) has recently given its recognition to and condemned the ethnic cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia . Although many separatist militants have been accused for committing massacres none of them have yet been tried .