Mother of Russian Oil Executive Freed in Abkhazia

(Tbilisi, December 16, 2002. Civil Georgia) – Reports say today mother of Russo-Belarus oil company Slavneft’s vice-president was released late on December 15.

Yelena Tkebuchava was kidnapped on November 11 from Georgia’s breakaway region of Abkhazia.

Associated Press reports quoting Abkhaz de fact interior minister Almazbei Kchach that Tkebuchava was freed as a result of the special operation. He says no ransom was paid. Kidnap victim is uninjured. Several kidnap suspects are detained.

On December 12 Georgian police found dead body of another kidnap victim, Sadi Sharifov, father of the Russian LUKOil’s vice president. Georgian police says three kidnap suspects are arrested.