(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, August 9, 2002) – Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on August 8 blaming Georgian authorities in the murder of Russian Officer Igor Zaetsev.
Employ of Group of Russian Troops in Trans Caucasus (headquarters in Tbilisi) Colonel Zaetsev’s body was found in the suburbs of Tbilisi on August 7. He was missing since July 27.
“The Russian Foreign Ministry notified Georgia that the disappearance of Russian officer coincided with the incursion of Chechen terrorists into Russia from Georgia, that was followed with the anti-Russian campaign by the Georgian authorities. Such a situation encouraged criminals to commit murder of Russian officer. Georgian authorities are fully responsible for this crime,” Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement says.
Reports said on August 8 that the law enforcers arrested person suspected in murder of Colonel Zaetsev. The law enforcers do not reveal suspect’s name and make no comments concerning the case.