Georgia Claims Russian Military Base Involved in Arms Dealing

(Tbilisi, March 6, Civil Georgia) – Georgian Defense Deputy Minister Gela Bezhuashvili confirmed information of the State Security Ministry that arms are sold from the Russian Military base at Akhalkalaki.

“This information is not new for us,” Bezhuashvili stated on March 5.

Georgian State Security Minister Valeri Khaburdzania said earlier that criminals and fighters, hiding in Pankisi gorge are supplied with arms from the various sources and one of them is Russian military base in Akhalkalaki.

Press service of Russian Forces in Transcaucasus denied the information.

Georgia demands liquidation of the Akhalkalaki military base within three years, while the Russian side claims that 14 years are necessary for the withdrawal from the base.