3 Russian Policemen in Preliminary Detention

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, August 10, 2002) – On August 9 Tbilisi District Court refused to change the preliminary detention for the 3 citizens of Russia arrested by the Georgian law enforcers in Pankisi gorge, for illegal crossing the border.

Russian citizens are the employees of Russian Interior Ministry. Russian policemen claim they intended to buy a car in Duisi village of Pankisi gorge. They did not have Georgian visas.

Russian Deputy Councilor to Georgia Iuri Adamov told the reporters that the Russian side was ready to bring in a pledge for release of its citizens, however the court did not consider this offer.