Senior MP: Not a Single Military Official Arrested

Givi Targamadze, a senior lawmaker from the ruling party, denied rumors that dozens of Georgian military officials had been arrested for various alleged wrongdoings during the armed conflict with Russia.

“It is not true,” Targamadze, who chairs the parliamentary committee for defense and security, told the Georgian daily Rezonansi. “Not a single military official, neither a private nor a high ranking officer, have been arrested.”

He, however, acknowledged that investigations were ongoing into “some cases.” He declined to elaborate.

“If something is revealed as a result of ongoing investigations, the public will of course learn about it. We are not going to hide anything,” Targamadze said.

The MP’s denial follows widespread rumors that at least thirty – some reports even indicate more – military and Ministry of Defense officials have been arrested since the war on various charges, including espionage.