Additional Forces of Internal Troops Dispatched to Pankisi

(Tbilisi, February 18, Civil Georgia) – “Additional forces of internal troops and special units are dispatched in Pankisi gorge,” President Shevardnadze stated in his traditional Monday radio broadcast on February 18.

Eduard Shevardnadze commented abduction of four policemen from the checkpoints in Pankisi gorge late on February 17.

President stated that Internal Affairs Minister Koba Narchemashvili arrived in the gorge.

“I ordered the Minister to set an ultimatum to the criminals to release detained policemen and rest of the kidnapped persons without any condition,” Georgian President stated.

Kidnappers demand release of notorious drug dealer arrested by the police on February 17.