(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, August 6, 2002) – Russian General Prosecutor Vladimer Ustinov arrives in Tbilisi, Georgian capital on August 6 concerning the issue of extradition of Chechens, allegedly fighters, detained by the Georgian border guards in Georgia.
Russian media sources reported on August 5 quoting Ustinov that the Georgian authorities have no reason to reject Russian request concerning the extradition of detained Chechens.
“If there are criminals and terrorists among them, the Russian side should give us their materials and we will give the Russian side an opportunity to carry out the investigation, then we will hand the criminals over,” Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze said on August 5.
Two groups of 13 Chechen fighters were detained in Georgia near the border with Chechnya on August 3-5. They are charged for illegal crossing of the state border and carrying of automatic weapons and explosives.