Ex-Peacekeeper Chief Released

Former Commander of the Georgian peacekeeping battalion stationed in the South Ossetian conflict zone Mikheil Kebadze, who was arrested on October 13 for illegal possession of arms, was released on October 17. The Security Ministry also accused him of ?divulging secret information.?

Deputy Security Minister Baku Kutelia said on October 17 that the investigation could not prove Kebadze?s guilt. ?That is why he was released,? Kutelia added.

The charges of illegal possession of arms were also dropped from Kebadze.

The arrest of Kebadze triggered a protest rally by his co-villagers. Kebadze?s wife was claiming that law enforcers planted a hand grenade while searching his house.