Garik Samanba is an Abkhaz

Abkhaz people

The Abkhaz or Abkhazians are a Caucasian ethnic group, mainly living in Abkhazia, a disputed region on the Black Sea coast. A large Abkhazian diaspora population resides in Turkey, the origins of which lie in the emigration from the Caucasus in the late 19th century known as Muhajirism...

 politician. Samanba is a member of the Parliament of Abkhazia, fought in the War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)

War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)

The War in Abkhazia from 1992 to 1993 was waged chiefly between Georgian government forces on one side and Abkhaz separatist forces supporting independence of Abkhazia from Georgia on the other side. Ethnic Georgians, who lived in Abkhazia fought largely on the side of Georgian government forces...

, and is recognized as a national hero of Abkhazia

Abkhazia

Abkhazia is a disputed political entity on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the south-western flank of the Caucasus.Abkhazia considers itself an independent state, called the Republic of Abkhazia or Apsny...

. Samanba has served as Chairman of the Defense and National Security Committee of the Abkhazian Parliament, being reelected to this post on April 5, 2007, following a reelection to his parliamentary seat in March.

As a war veteran and political candidate, Samanba has campaigned on prioritizing support for the families of Abkhazian war casualties, such as state support for tuition funding for the children of war veterans.