Georgia Denies Infiltration of Chechen Fighters into Russia

The Georgian State Border Guard Department denied the reports of the Russian media regarding the infiltration of Chechen rebels into Dagestan from Georgia.

?We have contacted our Russian counterparts. Neither had they confirmed the fact of crossing the border by Chechen rebels. I think this is nothing more but rumors,? Spokesman of the State Border Guard Department Shalva Londaridze said on December 15.

Security Minister Valerie Khaburdzania also denied the reports saying that it is impossible to cross the Dagestani section of the Russian-Georgian border in winter. 

The Dagestan interior ministry spokesman said today heavily-armed militants, numbering up to 30, attacked the village of Shauri about 60 miles away from the border with Georgia.

The rebels first seized hostages in the village?s hospital and then fled towards Chechnya, taking four hostages with them.

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