Memorial’s razing kills woman, girl

— Georgian authorities said Saturday that a woman and her 8-year old daughter were killed when a World War II memorial was intentionally blown up.

The deaths cast a cloud over the contentious demolition of the Soviet-era memorial. The plans had drawn condemnation from Russia and Georgia’s political opposition.

Prosecutor General Murtaz Zodelava said the deaths Saturday in Georgia’s second-largest city of Kutaisi were caused by a violation of safety standards. A city official said the dead were a mother and daughter.

The 150-foot concrete and bronze war memorial stood on the proposed site for a new parliament building.

Russia said its destruction showed disrespect to the hundreds of thousands of Georgians who fought in the Soviet army during World War II.

Front Section, Pages 15 on 12/20/2009

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