Russian Envoy Hopes for ‘Positive’ End to Journalist Arrest Case

Russian Ambassador to Georgia Vladimir Chkhikvishvili expressed hope on September 6, that the incident involving arrest of two Georgian journalists in Russia?s North Ossetian Republic will be solved ?positively.?
 
?The Russian Foreign Ministry is actively working over this issue. I do not know the latest details, however, I hope that the issue will be solved positively and the journalists will return to Georgia soon,? Vladimir Chkhikvishvili told reporters on September 6.
 
Journalist of Tbilisi-based Rustavi 2 television Nana Lezhava and cameraman Levan Tetvadze were arrested by the North Ossetian police, while covering developments in the terror-stricken town of Beslan in North Ossetia.
 
Rustavi 2 television reported on September 6, that the criminal charges for illegal crossing the state border has been already brought against the Georgian journalists. According to the North Ossetian police officials Nana Lezhava and Levan Tetvadze had no Russian visas and special journalist accreditations issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

However, Rustavi 2 television claims that Nana Lezhava and Levan Tetvadze did not need Russian visa to visit Russia?s North Ossetian Republic, as they had IDs issued by the administration of Kazbegi, town in northern Georgia, neighboring with Russia.

According to the agreement between the two countries, the residents of the regions adjacent to the state border between Russia and Georgia can move across the border without visas.