Georgia charges Russian 'spies'
29/09/2006 14:52  - (SA)  

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Russia spy row heats up Russia spy row heats up

Tbilisi - Georgia on Friday charged four Russian officers with spying and was to put them on trial later in the day, a police spokesperson said, as relations between the two ex-Soviet neighbours plummeted to a new low.

Shota Khizanishvili, spokesperson for the interior minister, said the espionage charges were officially filed against four Russian military officers who were detained on Wednesday.

A fifth officer, who served as a contract soldier, was released on Friday, he said.

Meanwhile, Russia prepared to evacuate some of its citizens from Georgia, citing security concerns.

Infuriated by the detention of the officers, Moscow announced on Thursday that it was recalling its ambassador, evacuating its diplomats and complained to the United Nations over Tbilisi's action.

Russian defence minister Sergei Ivanov denounced Georgia as a "bandit" state.

Bilateral ties long have been strained over Georgia's bid to join Nato and Moscow's close links to Georgia's breakaway provinces.

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