Ethnic Arab Detained In Pankisi, Terrorist Connections Possible

(Tbilisi, August 30 2002, Civil Georgia) – Ministry of Security Affairs detained ethnic Arab in the Pankisi Gorge. According to his passport he is French citizen. Nika Laliashvili, Head of the press-office of Ministry of Security Affairs, told “Civil Georgia”, “the passport of detainee could be falsified. His documents are being examined now”.

According to Laliashvili, detainee wore military uniform under the civilian clothes. He had Koran with.

“This person could be connected with international terrorist organizations”, told reporters Valeri Khaburdzania, Minister for Security Affairs on August 29.

This is the first suspect detained by the Ministry of Security Affairs since anti-criminal operation has begun in the Pankisi Gorge. Anti-criminal operation began on August 25.