Russia Hands Over Georgia Documents Necessary for Extradition of Chechens

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, August 21, 2002) – On August 20 Today Russian General Prosecutor’s Office provided Georgian law enforcers with the documentation, claiming that the 13 Chechens detained by the Georgian border guards on August 3-5 were involved in the military actions against Russian troops in Chechnya.

The State Security Ministry of Georgia charged 13 Chechens for illegal crossing of the state border and carrying of arms and explosives. District Court of Vake-Saburtalo, Tbilisi, sentenced all 13 for 3 months of preliminary detention.

Russian General Prosecutor Vladimer Ustinov, who paid one-day visit in Tbilisi on August 6, failed to convince Georgian authorities in handing over 13 Chechens. Georgian authorities required evidences proving that the arrested Chechens committed crimes in Russian Federation.

Georgian State Security Minister Valeri Khaburdzania said on August 20, that the Georgian law enforcers would take decision concerning the extradition of detained Chechens after they study the documents.