02.05.2008 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Article on the reasons for the heating up of the "frozen" conflict over Abkhazia ("Long-Simmering Abkhaz Conflict Heating Up....But Why Now?") [ID 23105]

Document(s): Open document

01.05.2008 - Source: BBC News

Abkhazia: Extra Russian troops are being deployed in Georgia's breakaway region, Russia says ("Russia beefs up Abkhazia forces") [ID 23045]

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01.05.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia: Tensions between Georgia and Russia rise as Russia sends additional troops to breakaway region ("Russia Deploys Additional Troops in Abkhazia") [ID 23104]

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29.04.2008 - Source: Guardian

Tensions between Russia and Georgia increase as Moscow accuses Tbilisi of planning to invade the breakaway republic of Abkhazia; Russia claims that Georgia had amassed more than 1,500 troops in the strategic Upper Kodori Valley ("Russia accuses Georgia of plans to invade breakaway region") [ID 23102]

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25.04.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

According to a diplomat, Russia will respond militarily, if Georgia starts a military conflict in Abkhazia or South Ossetia; Tbilisi condemned his remarks as “direct military intimidation” ("Russian Military Action in Abkhazia Possible - Russian Diplomat") [ID 23100]

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23.04.2008 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Government criticises Moscow`s plan to strengthen its relationship with the breakaway territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; accuse Russia of having shot down an unmanned plane over Abkhazia ("Georgian Fury at Russia’s Abkhaz Moves") [ID 23043]

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21.04.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

President Saakashvili regards the presumed downing of a Georgian drone by a Russian fighter jet and Russia’s recent decision to establish legal links with Abkhazia and South Ossetia as “unprovoked aggression against the sovereign territory of Georgia” ("Saakashvili Phoned Putin over Russia’s ‘Aggressive Moves’") [ID 23091]

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21.04.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

Moscow denied Tbilisi’s allegation that one of its unmanned spy planes was shot down by a Russian fighter jet on 20 April 2008 over breakaway Abkhazia ("Russia Denies Downing Georgian Spy Plane") [ID 23092]

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18.04.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

Russian government about to lift visa restrictions for Georgian citizens; this adds to already resumed transport links between Russia and Georgia ("Putin Instructs Government ‘to Normalize Ties’ with Georgia") [ID 23039]

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19.03.2008 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Abkhazia: Tbilisi says it is time to review the Russian’s role as peacekeepers as Moscow strengthens relationship with the breakaway republic ("Georgia Seeks Changes in Abkhazia") [ID 22676]

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07.03.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia: Georgian President Saakashvili said in response to Russia's withdrawal from a treaty imposing sanctions on the breakaway region, that Georgia will not allow a militarisation of the region ("Tbilisi Warns of ‘Zero Tolerance’ to Abkhaz Militarization") [ID 22501]

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07.03.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

The Georgian Foreign Minstry said on 7 March 2008 that Russia's withdrawal from the treaty imposing sanctions on breakaway Abkhazia is an extremely dangerous provocation ("Georgian MFA Protests Lifting Abkhaz Sanctions by Russia") [ID 22502]

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03.03.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia, South Ossetia: Despite protests from Tbilisi, Russian passport holders were allowed to vote in Russian presidential elections; Medvedev receives 90 percent in breakaway regions ("Medvedev Receives 90% in Abkhazia, S.Ossetia") [ID 22456]

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27.02.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

The Russian foreign ministry has denied on 27 February 2007 having reached an agreement with Georgia on joint control of the border between Russia and the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; it has also denied assuring Georgia that Russia would never recognise Abkhazia or South Ossetia ("Russia Denies Deal with Tbilisi on Joint Border Control in Abkhazia, S.Ossetia") [ID 22447]

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26.02.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

Georgian President Saakashvili said on 26 February 2008 that Russia has agreed to joint Russo-Georgian border crossing points in Abkhazia and South Ossetia; the details still need to be worked out ("Saakashvili: Joint Border Control in Abkhazia, S.Ossetia Agreed with Russia") [ID 22446]

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25.02.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

South Ossetian and Abkhaz officials said on 25 February 2008 that they would not allow Russia and Georgia to set up joint border-crossing points on their borders with Russia ("Sokhumi, Tskhinvali against Joint Russo-Georgian Border Control") [ID 22442]

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22.02.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

Georgian President Saakashvili said on 22 February 2008 after a meeting with Russian President Putin that Russia will not recognise either Abkhazia nor South Ossetia; air traffic between Georgia and Russia will be resumed ("Russia not to Recognize Abkhazia, South Ossetia - Saakashvili") [ID 22441]

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15.02.2008 - Source: BBC News

Russia warns it will change its policy towards breakaway regions in Georgia if Kosovo is granted independence; Moscow has repeatedly hinted it could recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia if Kosovo separates from Serbia ("Russia 'warns Georgia' on Kosovo") [ID 22382]

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14.11.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Article on the role of Moscow in the latest turmoils in Tbilisi; accusations, spearheaded by President Saakashvili, blaming Russian intelligence services for orchestrating a week of opposition rallies that spiraled into violence on 7 November 2007; conflict with Moscow over separatist regions ("Is Moscow Behind Georgian Unrest?") [ID 21637]

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13.11.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

12th Russian military base in Batumi was officially handed over to Georgia on 13 November 2007 ("Russia Hands Over Batumi Military Base to Georgia") [ID 21630]

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13.11.2007 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

President Saakashvili decides to hold elections in January 2008; he asks for support of voters to cope with "external pressure", which he believes is coming from Russia: He accuses Russia of backing recent wave of opposition protests ("Leader Calls Opponents’ Bluff") [ID 21631]

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08.11.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

3 Russian diplomats are expelled because of alleged subversive activities ("Georgia to Expel Three Russian Diplomats") [ID 21570]

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31.10.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Abkhazia: Georgia says it will move to formally ask Russian peacekeepers to leave breakaway region, following reports that they seized and beat five Georgian police officers ("Georgia Seeks End To Russian Peacekeepers' Mandate In Abkhazia") [ID 21488]

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30.10.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

Ganmukhuri village (Abkhazia): According to Georgian interior minister, on 30 October Russian peacekeepers took Georgian police men hostage and beat them up; this was followed by a shootout between Russian and Georgian forces; allegedly Russian peace keepers are about to hand over the captured policemen ("Georgian MIA Reports of Shootout with Russian Peacekeepers") [ID 21482]

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30.10.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

Ganmukhuri village: Russian peacekeeping forces have released 4 Georgian policemen detained earlier that day on 30 October; Georgian president Saakashvili heavily accuses Russian peacekeepers at site of inadequate behaviour ("Confrontation in Ganmukhuri") [ID 21483]

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16.10.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia: Several Russian peacekeepers arrested for drug dealing; attempt to discredit the Russian-led peacekeeping operation, the Russian land forces say ("Russia Denies Arresting Peacekeepers for Drug Dealing") [ID 21398]

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27.09.2007 - Source: BBC News

Georgia's President Saakashvili accuses Russia of leading "terror" missions on his country's territory ("Georgia decries Russian 'terror'") [ID 21183]

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27.09.2007 - Source: BBC News

Georgia's President Saakashvili accuses Russia of leading "terror" missions on his country's territory ("Georgia decries Russian 'terror'") [ID 21247]

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21.09.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

Russia said Abkhaz forces were attacked by “a Georgian squad of saboteurs” ("Russia Says Abkhaz Unit Attacked by Georgian ‘Saboteurs’") [ID 21177]

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13.09.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

South Ossetia: 2 Russian soldiers arrested by Georgian Authorities; charged with illegal detention of 4 Georgian journalists and 3 other people; Russia demands their release ("Russia Demands “Unconditional” Release of Peacekeepers") [ID 21169]

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12.09.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

2 Georgian civilians released by Russian forces ("Russian Peacekeepers Release Two Georgians") [ID 21167]

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11.09.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

South Ossetia: Two Georgians arrested by Russian peacekeepers; Georgian authorities demand investigation ("Two Georgians Detained in South Ossetian Conflict Zone") [ID 21166]

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06.09.2007 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Abkhazia: Georgian authorities step up campaign against Russian peacekeepers on their territory, highlighting recent series of incidents in which they say soldiers abused local population ("Georgians Angry at Abkhazia Peacekeepers") [ID 21085]

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03.09.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

South Ossetian conflict zone: Russian Foreign Ministry demands release of 2 Russian citizens serving in Russia's North Ossetian peacekeeping battalion; detained since August 29; Georgian State Ministry rejected demands ("Russia Demands Peacekeepers’ Release") [ID 21116]

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03.09.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

According to Davit Usuphashvili, leader of the opposition Republican Party, both Putin and Saakashvili capitalize on bilateral tensions after the August 6 missile incident ("Saakashvili Capitalizes on Tension with Russia – Opposition Politician") [ID 21117]

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08.08.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

President Saakashvili has called on the international community to condemn Russia for allegedly firing a missile into Georgian territory ("Georgia Calls On World To Condemn Russian Missile Attack") [ID 20724]

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08.08.2007 - Source: ReliefWeb

Georgia has accused Russia of being behind an alleged August 6 air attack on Georgian territory near the South Ossetian conflict zone; Russia has categorically denied any involvement in the incident ("Georgia accuses Russia of carrying out "bombing raid"") [ID 20725]

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07.08.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

Two Russian attack air crafts violated Georgia's airspace, one of them fired rocket onto Georgian territory, Interior Ministry says ("Russian Jet Fires Missile on Georgian Territory") [ID 20846]

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12.07.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

South Ossetia: Russian journalist and cameraman arrested by Georgian police in conflict zone ("Police Detain Russian Reporters in S.Ossetia") [ID 20635]

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10.07.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

Georgian police released 2 Russian peacekeepers after having detained them briefly ("Russian Peacekeepers Released") [ID 20632]

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12.06.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Russian defence officials are denying allegations from a Georgian parliamentary committee that Moscow plans to build military bases ("Russia Denies Planning Military Base In Abkhazia") [ID 20303]

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29.05.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

Russia will partially resume issuing visas to Georgian citizens on May 29, eight months after it was suspended by Moscow amid spy row with Georgia ("Russia Partially Resumes Visas for Georgia") [ID 20123]

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27.03.2007 - Source: International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

Extreme tensions between Georgia and the Russian Federation in 2006; economic blockade and harsh sanctions on gas and electricity supply, ban on airway and postal connections, mass deportations of and pressure on ethnic Georgians from the Russian side ("Human Rights in the OSCE Region: Europe, Central Asia and North America, Report 2007 (Events of 2006)") [ID 19523]

"The year 2006 was marked by extreme tensions between Georgia and the Russian Federation. Economic blockade and harsh sanctions from the Russian side, including on gas and electricity supply, ban on airway and postal connections, mass deportations of and pressure on ethnic Georgians living in Russia. Moreover, tension increased with the Russian-backed breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia."

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17.10.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Moscow: Georgian accused of being an illegal immigrant died in airport while being deported ("Georgian Dies During Deportation From Russia") [ID 18208]

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16.10.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Interview with Terry Davis, secretary-general of Council of Europe, on impact of Russia's sanctions against Georgian state and citizens ("Council Of Europe Head 'Concerned' About Reports Of Russian Sanctions") [ID 17929]

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11.10.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Russia's Defense Minister says all Russian troops based in Tbilisi will be pulled out ahead of schedule ("Russia Says Troops To Leave Tbilisi Early") [ID 17823]

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09.10.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Georgia's President Saakashvili says the airport in Tbilisi will no longer accept Russian cargo planes carrying Georgian deportees ("Georgia Won't Accept Russia's Georgian Deportees") [ID 17686]

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06.10.2006 - Source: BBC News

Russia deported planeload of Georgians, in escalating row with the Caucasus republic ("Russia deports Georgians by plane") [ID 17593]

"Russia has deported a planeload of Georgians, amid a deepening diplomatic row sparked by Georgia's recent arrest of four alleged Russian spies. [...] The Georgians were rounded up in police raids over the past few days and accused of immigration offences, according to media reports. One of the deportees told Georgian television her passport had expired but another said his documents were in order. [...] Meanwhile a Russian plane took more Russians out of Georgia, which Moscow says is now unsafe for its citizens. Last week, some 100 Russian officials and their families in Georgia were ordered by Moscow to return to Russia. [...] Moscow police have also asked schools to draw up lists of pupils with Georgian surnames as part of their search for illegal immigrants, Russian media reported.  Alexander Gavrilov, a spokesman for the Moscow education department, said some schools had received the request, which he criticised. But a Russian interior ministry spokesman said no such request had been made."

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06.10.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Most opposition parties express support for Georgian authorities during tensions with Russia, however they emphasize need for democracy within the country ("Opposition Leaders Comment on Tensions with Russia") [ID 17921]

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04.10.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Russia Pressures Georgia over Abkhazia in UN ("Russia Pressures Georgia over Abkhazia in UN") [ID 17595]

"Russia has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling on Georgia to stop provocative actions in breakaway Abkhazia, Russian news agencies reported on October 3.

The draft resolution also includes a call towards Georgia to suspend the functioning of the Tbilisi-backed Abkhaz government in upper Kodori Gorge. The headquarters of the government was opened in the Tbilisi-controlled part of breakaway Abkhazia on September 27. "

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04.10.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Russia has introduced sanctions against Georgia; Russian leaders say sanctions are not against Georgian people but against Saakashvili`s regime ("Russian Leaders, Parliament, Speak Tough on Georgia") [ID 17596]

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03.10.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Russia has suspended all transport and postal links with Georgia following Tbilisi's detention of 4 Russian officers accused of spying ("Russia Suspends Transport, Postal Links To Georgia") [ID 17406]

"But a spokesman for Russia's Transportation Ministry, Timur Khikhmanov, said that as of today, all air, rail, road, and sea transport to Georgia has been halted until further notice.

The Communications Ministry said postal services to Georgia have also been suspended.

The Kremlin said the measures against Georgia will remain in force until further notice.[...]
The European Union has urged Russia to lift the "sanctions." EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner told Reuters today that "sanctions do not, particularly in this case, lead anywhere."

The United States has urged Russia and Georgia to "lower the rhetoric." "

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03.10.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

Abkhazia: Russia seeks UN help to get Georgian troops away from Abkhazia ("Russia seeks UN help to get Georgian troops away from Abkhazia") [ID 17592]

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03.10.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Air, railway, land and sea links between Russia and Georgia were cut; postal link was cut and many parcels failed to reach the destination; according to Duma Council chairman law will be drafted to ban money transfers to Georgia ("Russia Mounts Pressure by Cutting Links with Georgia") [ID 17490]

"Chief of the Russian air navigation service Alexander Naradko said air traffic with Georgia will be stopped starting from October 3. [...] Officials in Moscow said on October 2 that the postal link was cut after many parcels sent to Tbilisi failed to reach their destinations. The Russian Railway Company’s official notification to the Georgian side reads that traffic is suspended because of decrease of number of passengers, an official from the Georgian Railway Company said on October 3. A train to Moscow via Baku was departing from the Tbilisi railway station three times a week. No specific reasons behind the cutting of land and sea links have yet been cited. But Russian Deputy Transport Minister Sergey Aristov said on October 2 that “we also have serious questions [for the Georgian authorities] in respect to sea and land traffic.” In addition, Boris Grizlov, the Chairman of Russia’s lower house of Parliament, Duma Council, said on October 2 that a draft law will be developed authorizing the government to ban money transfers from Russia into Georgia. Hundreds of thousands of Georgians working in Russia regularly send money back to their families in Georgia. [...] Russia stopped issuing entry visas for Georgian citizens on September 28.The Georgian officials have already downplayed Russia’s move to impose more economic sanctions on Georgia following bans on the import of Georgian wine, mineral waters and agricultural products to the Russian market. [...] OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, who visited Tbilisi on October 2 and helped to solve spy row with Russia, said that embargos will not help to solve tensions. “Isolation is not an answer to the situation and I think that it is very important that swiftly the air traffic should be restored; also land borders should be reopened… We should resolve this conflict by talks. We should not do that by retaliation,” Karel De Gucht said."

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02.10.2006 - Source: BBC News

4 Russian officers charged with spying in Georgia will be handed over to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), a Georgian spokesman says ("Georgia to free Russian 'spies'") [ID 17405]

"They were handed over to the head of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Karel De Gucht, before boarding a Russian plane. Georgia's president said the transfer was not a response to Russian pressure. As the men were being released, Moscow imposed economic sanctions, suspending transport and crucial postal links. BBC regional analyst Steven Eke says the impact of the new measures is likely to be severe as thousands of Georgian guest workers will effectively be stranded in Russia, unable to send home the earnings so many of their families depend on. It is unclear if the sanctions decision was taken before the handover of the officers, who were arrested last week, was announced. [...] Our regional analyst notes that Georgia is already affected by a Russian ban on its top three agricultural exports - wine, mineral water and mandarin oranges. But Mr Saakashvili, he adds, will also be aware that Russia has another, much more powerful economic weapon - energy supplies. Georgia remains totally dependent on supplies of Russian gas and there are already warnings that heat and light could disappear from parts of Georgia unless the diplomatic crisis is resolved quickly."

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02.10.2006 - Source: Guardian

Moscow has put troops in Georgia on high alert as 4 Russian officers are held on spying charge; Russian President Putin accuses Georgia of act of state terrorism ("Furious Moscow orders 'shoot to kill' as Georgia crisis escalates") [ID 17404]

"nfuriated by the arrests of four Russian officers on spying charges, Moscow has put its troops in Georgia on high alert and ordered them to "shoot to kill" to defend their bases in the former Soviet republic. [...]The commander of Russian military forces in Georgia, General Andrei Popov, said Russian law authorises the use of force to defend bases abroad from aggression. "We are ready to thwart any possible attempts to penetrate our facilities using all means, including shoot to kill," he said. Mr Putin held an urgent meeting with armed forces chiefs, top ministers and the heads of intelligence services to discuss Russia's response to the arrests."

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29.09.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Spy row deepens as Russian officers face detention ("Spy Row Deepens as Russian Officers Face Detention") [ID 17401]

"Russia said evidence against four of its military officers officially charged of spying by Georgia on September 29 has been fabricated.The officers now face a two-month pre-trial detention pending the investigation of their case.Meanwhile, over 100 Russian citizens, including Embassy employees and their family members, are set to board two planes of the Russian Emergency Ministry on September 29. The planes are currently waiting in the Tbilisi Airport.Russia recalled its Ambassador to Georgia, Viacheslav Kovalenko, and announced the “partial evacuation” of its citizens because of security reasons, a move described by Tbilisi as "hysteria." [...] But Georgia shows no signs of backing down. Georgian police continue to cordon Russian troops’ headquarters in Tbilisi. Georgia is demanding that Moscow extradite one more Russian officer suspected of spying. Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Valery Chechelashvili said on September 28 that Russian military intelligence officer Konstantin Pichugin is sheltering in the Headquarters of the Russian Troops in Trans-Caucasus. Meanwhile in New York, the Russian envoy to the United Nations called for the Security Council to censure Tbilisi's actions and circulated a draft resolution expressing deep concern over Tbilisi’s anti-Russian stance."

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28.09.2006 - Source: Guardian

4 Russian military officers and 12 civilians detained on espionage charges by authorities; tensions between Moscow and Tbilisi grow ("Georgia arrests Russian officers for spying and surrounds army HQ") [ID 17348]

"Georgia yesterday detained four Russian military officers and 12 civilians on espionage charges, marking a serious escalation in tensions between Tbilisi and Moscow. Georgian forces were late last night surrounding Russia's military headquarters in Tbilisi to demand the handover of another Russian officer.

Georgia's ambassador to Moscow was summoned to the Russian foreign ministry and given a protest note demanding the immediate release of the officers. [...]

The Georgian interior minister, Vano Merabishvili, said the officers and their agents in Georgia were part of a "very serious and dangerous" spy network that had been involved in espionage for years. [...]

Relations between Georgia and its former imperial master have reached new lows since President Mikhail Saakashvili came to power after the 2003 "rose revolution" and sought closer ties with the west and Nato membership. The Kremlin retaliated this year with a ban on Georgian wine and mineral water exports, allegedly for public health reasons. In a speech to the UN general assembly last Friday Mr Saakashvili accused Russia of seeking to annex parts of Georgian territory by supporting separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia supports the rebels financially and has installed hundreds of peacekeepers in the two regions, which are not internationally recognised but which have enjoyed de-facto independence since wars in the 1990s."

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28.09.2006 - Source: BBC News

Georgia demands from Russia a hand over of a military officer accused of spying, after arresting 5 Russian military officers on the same charges in Georgia ("Russia-Georgia 'spy' row deepens") [ID 17349]

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28.09.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Batumi: Russian soldiers beaten and briefly arrested ("Ivanov: Russian Soldiers Beaten in Batumi") [ID 17352]

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28.09.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Russia stops issuing visas to Georgian citizens ("Russia Stops Issuing Visas to Georgian Citizens") [ID 17353]

"   The Russian Embassy in Tbilisi stopped issuing Russian visas to citizens of Georgia starting from September 28, Spokesperson for the Russian Embassy Mikhail Svirin told the RIA Novosti news agency.
 
He stressed that the issuing of visas was stopped “for all citizens of Georgia without any exception,” but did not specify the motives behind the decision. 
 "

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28.09.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs unveils ‘part of evidence’ against Russian-Georgian ‘spy ring’ ("MIA Unveils ‘Part of Evidence’ against ‘Spy Ring’") [ID 17354]

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28.09.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Russia recalls ambassador from Georgia ("Russia Recalls Ambassador from Georgia") [ID 17355]

"    Russia has recalled its Ambassador, Viacheslav Kovalenko, from Georgia and has launched a “partial evacuation” of its citizens from Georgia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on September 28.
[...]

“The Russian side decided to recall Russian Ambassador to Tbilisi Viacheslav Kovalenko to Moscow for consultations. In connection with the increasing threat to the security of employees of Russian institutions in Georgia and members of their families, it was decided to launch their partial evacuation from this country. The first flights of the planes of the Ministry of Extraordinary Situations are planned for September 29,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
 
The Russian Foreign Ministry is also recommending that Russian citizens refrain from visiting Georgia.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said that Russia’s announcement of a “partial evacuation” of its citizens from Georgia is “hysteria.”
"

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27.09.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Georgia arrests Russian ‘intelligence operatives’ ("Georgia Arrests Russian ‘Intelligence Operatives’") [ID 17351]

"Georgia's counter-intelligence service arrested four  Russian military intelligence (GRU - Glavnoye Razvedovatelnoye Upravlenie) officers and eleven citizens of Georgia who were cooperating with Russian intelligence services, Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili said on September 27.

"This group, which operated in Georgia, was commanded from Yerevan by Anatoly Sinitsin. The latter was behind the February 1, 2005 terrorist act in Gori," Merabishvili said. [...]

He also said that eleven Georgian citizens have been arrested, and listed their names: Artashes Baloyan, Viktor Orekhov, Alexander Zalinian, Victor Zabrodin, Yuri Zabrodin, Goderdzi Dzuliashvili, Gia Kakauridze, Aziz Aslaniani, Karen Aboyan, Petre Apramian and Beso Gabaidze.
 
Merabishvili said that one more person - Zia Samnidze – is currently wanted by Georgian law enforcers.
"

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26.09.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

Georgia-Russia spy row ratchets up, West urges calm ("Georgia: Saakashvili - Russia threatens to recognize Abkhazia, S.Ossetia") [ID 17403]

"Two Russian planes evacuated about 80 embassy personnel and family members from Georgia on Friday, an embassy official said, as a spying row deepened and Western defence ministers called for calm. Moscow ordered the partial evacuation after Georgia arrested four Russian officers and accused them of spying on military installations in the strategic Caucasus country. [...] Arriving for consultations in Moscow, Russia's ambassador to Tbilisi, Vyacheslav Kovalenko, said further personnel would be evacuated from a military base on the Black Sea coast at Batumi, the ITAR-TASS news agency said. [...] Meeting in Slovenia on Friday, ministers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) called on Russia and Georgia to calm tensions. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer "called for moderation and de-escalation, and that is relevant for all partners" after a meeting that was also attended by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov. US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld echoed the call for calm, saying the confrontation was "a subject of concern". [...]The row follows Russian anger at Georgia's growing links to NATO and in particular an announcement on those links by the alliance last week."

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21.09.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Batumi, Akhalkalaki: Russia removed artillery equipment from military bases in 2006; 500 military vehicles were also withdrawn from the country ("MoD Lists Russian Armaments Withdrawn from Georgia") [ID 17341]

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11.09.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

South Ossetia to hold referendum on independence on 12 November, expected to fuel tensions between Russia and Georgia ("Georgian rebel region to vote on independence") [ID 17199]

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11.09.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

30 opposition leaders detained, 14 charged with treason in a plan to seize power; Saakashvili alleges that the coup was backed by Russia ("Tensions spike as Georgia alleges coup") [ID 17201]

"Tensions ratcheted up between Russia and Georgia following a successful Georgian military offensive against a pro-Russian separatist rebellion in the remote Kodori Gorge in July - and they are soaring again with last week's sensational allegations of a Moscow-backed coup d'état planned to overthrow President Mikhael Saakashvili. Georgian security forces last week rounded up about 30 opposition leaders and charged 14 of them with treason in a purported plan to stage disturbances in Tbilisi, leading to an opposition seizure of power. Most of those arrested were officials of the pro-Moscow Justice Party, whose leader, former Georgian KGB chief Igor Giorgadze, is reportedly hiding in Russia. Others were activists of the opposition Conservative Monarchists and of the Anti-Soros Movement, a coalition of groups that accuses billionaire George Soros of "interfering" in Georgian politics by funding pro-Western nongovernmental organizations and think tanks. Mr. Saakashvili, who himself came to power on a wave of mass unrest in 2003's pro-democracy "Rose Revolution," suggested that the Kremlin stood behind the alleged coup plotters. "Certain forces in Russia decided that this autumn is the last time when it is still possible to stop the process of Georgia's formation," Saakashvili said. "Their ... hope was that local collaborators would help them. But this scenario has failed." Russia has denied any involvement. Breakaway statelets fuel deadly feud It's just the latest chapter in a deadly chess game - played out on Georgian soil - between Moscow and successive Georgian leaders who've sought to loosen traditional ties with Russia and move closer to the West. In the early 1990s, Russia backed the violent emergence of two separatist statelets, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, to keep pressure on Georgia, experts say. Former Soviet foreign minister Eduard Shevardnadze, who ran Georgia from 1992 to 2003, walked a cautious line between Russia and the West. But Saakashvili, a US-trained lawyer, has pledged to reunite his nation and lead it into NATO before his term expires in 2009. In a recent speech, Saakashvili acknowledged that this might lead to conflict with Russia. "Moscow has very firmly expressed its policy in respect to Georgia. I want to believe that this is the policy of only one part of the Russian authorities - and this policy is very simple: not to let Georgia become strong and not to let Georgia restore its territorial integrity," he said. The danger of war with Russia was on full display when Georgia moved this summer to crush a local warlord, Emzar Kvitsiani, who was threatening to move his tiny fiefdom in the rugged Kodori Gorge away from central government control and into the arms of separatist forces in Abkhazia. In late July, Mr. Kvitsiani announced he would take up arms against the central Georgian government. Kvitsiani's paramilitary group, called Mondaire, or Hunter, was officially disbanded by Minister of Defense Irakli Okruashvili more than a year ago. A stronger show for Georgia's military Saakashvili ordered his ministers of interior and defense to lead an operation deep into the tight gorge, disbanding Mondaire, though failing to capture Kvitsiani. Journalists were prevented from entering the gorge and camped out in a nearby village, unable to make telephone calls after the government cut the lines. Still, successful seizure of the district is widely seen as a key step for the Georgian military, which has been remaking itself, with US assistance, after being defeated by Abkhazia and South Ossetia's separatist armies more than 10 years ago. "It's not about the Kodori Gorge. It's about the success of the Georgian state," said Parliamentary Deputy Chairman of Defense Nick Rurua. Part of Georgia's Svaneti region, the gorge is virtually inaccessible for four months of the year when snows block the mountain passes, and has traditionally been seen as a zone of lawlessness and tribal rule. But Georgia's Kodori operation was viewed with deep alarm by Russia, whose armed peacekeepers police the region under a 1994 cease-fire accord. At the height of the crisis, Moscow sent 6,000 special alpine troops to hold "exercises" nearby and the Russian Foreign Ministry warned in a statement that, "this area borders directly on Russian territory, and what is going on there affects the security of the Russian Federation." Russian officials have repeatedly said that Moscow will intervene "to protect Russian citizens" if Georgia moves militarily against South Ossetia or Abkhazia. Experts say about 90 percent of the population in both statelets have been issued Russian passports. Occupation of the Kodori Gorge, which makes up 17 percent of Abkhazian territory, brings Georgian forces much closer to the Abkhaz capital of Sukhumi. The Abkhaz separatist government and Russia claim that Georgia has violated the cease-fire pact, which forbids the use of military troops in the conflict zone. But Georgia claims the Kodori invasion was a "police action." Abkhaz leaders warn that they, too, might turn to military action. "Countermeasures will be tough," said Abkhaz president Sergei Bagapsh. Georgia has since installed a shadow Abkhazian government, housed in Tbilisi. Fighting has also flared around South Ossetia. Last month, Ossetian gunners nearly brought down a helicopter carrying Georgian Defense Minister Okruashvili, while forces of the two sides clashed last week near Tskhinvali, South Ossetia's capital, killing four people. But for now, the impact of the Kodori siege is most visible at home. In recent months, Georgians have been swept by a resurgent nationalism. But some experts worry that Saakashvili may be moving too quickly to end Georgia's multiple separatist threats and cement the country's pro- Western course. "There is a Russian expression that talks about the hangover of success," says Georgian Open Society Institute chief Dato Darchiashvili. "That is what I am afraid of here.""

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18.08.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

Russia is completing the transfer of military equipment from a base in Georgia to Russian troops stationed in Armenia ("Russia ends transfer of military equipment to Armenia") [ID 15868]

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22.07.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

Georgia accuses Moscow of propping up separatist regimes by giving residents Russian citizenship and by deploying Russian soldiers in South Ossetia and Abkhazia; the fact that Georgian President did not show up at meeting of heads of state of former Soviet republics bothered the Kremlin; some believe this could lead to war ("Tensions rise with Georgia's pull-out from Moscow meeting: press") [ID 15714]

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18.07.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

Parliament adopted a resolution that demands withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces; Russia considers this counterproductive ("Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation regarding the Georgian Parliament's resolution on the peacekeeping forces in the conflict zones") [ID 15585]

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13.05.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Russia launched removal of equipment from military base in Akhalkalaki; Russia and Georgia had agreed that it should be completely vacated before December 31, 2007 ("Russia Launches Military Hardware Pullout from Akhalkalaki") [ID 15430]

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28.04.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Russia and Georgia agree on several sections of the state border during the negotiations on border delimitation issues in Tbilisi ("Moscow, Tbilisi Agree on Several Sections of State Border") [#50450], [ID 15361]

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13.04.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Parliament ratified base pullout and military transit agreements with Russia ("Georgia Ratifies Military Treaties with Russia") [#49329], [ID 4514]

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07.04.2006 - Source: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

Agreement on the temporary functioning and withdrawal of Russian military bases and other military facilities deployed in Georgia signed by Russia and Georgia ("OSCE Chairman welcomes Russian-Georgian agreement on base closure") [#48796], [ID 4518]

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03.04.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Governments of Georgia and Russia sign agreement to withdraw Russian military bases and facilies from Georgia by 2008 ("Agreement between the Russian Federation and Georgia on Terms and Rules of Temporary Functioning and Withdrawal of the Russian Military Bases and Other Military Facilities of the Group of Russian Military Forces in South Caucasus Deployed on the Territory of Georgia") [#48566], [ID 4520]

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28.03.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Georgian envoy blocked by Russia to take part in UN Abkhazia discussion ("Reports: Russia Blocks Georgia from UN Abkhazia Discussion") [#48204], [ID 4524]

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24.03.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

South Ossetia: Speaking at the OSCE Permanent Council on March 23 Russian ambassador to the OSCE says Georgia is responsible for mistrust and tensions in the region ("Südossetien: In seiner Rede vom 23. März vor dem Ständigen Rat der OSZE meint der russische OSZE-Botschafter, dass Georgien Verantwortung für Spannungen und das fehlende Vertrauen in der Region trägt") [#48008], [ID 4527]

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24.03.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Georgian foreign ministry expresses official protest towards the Russian ambassador regarding the statement made by Russian Prime Minister's aide that South and North Ossetia should unify ("Nach Statement des Berates des russischen Premierministers über Vereinigung von Süd- und Nordossetien: Russischer Botschafter erhält offizielle Protestnote des georgischen Außenministeriums") [#48006], [ID 4528]

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18.03.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Process of withdrawal of Russian military bases from Georgia still in progress although relevant agreement not yet singed by both sides; Russian side submits detailed timetable of withdrawal ("Moscow Submits 2006 Schedule of Military Bases’ Withdrawal") [#47370], [ID 4530]

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05.03.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Tbilisi: Attack on the Russian NTV station's office by unknown ("Gunshots Hit Russian NTV Tbilisi Office") [#45834], [ID 4539]

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02.03.2006 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Diplomatic relations between Russian and Georgian government deteriorate due to Russia’s support for Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the two countries' refusal to edit visas and rows over a gas pipeline ("Georgia-Russian Relations at Boiling Point") [#45581], [ID 4540]

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27.02.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

Military police calls on Russian peacekeepers to obtain Georgian visas before 10 March ("Georgia sets visa deadline for Russian peacekeepers (UN Association of Georgia)") [#45259], [ID 4541]

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15.02.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Parliament passed resolution denouncing Russia's alleged attempts at "annexing" South Ossetia; Russian troops accused of supplying separatist forces and threatening Georgian citizens in conflict zone ("Georgia: Parliament Votes Russian Troops Out Of South Ossetia") [#44224], [ID 4545]

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13.02.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Russian ambassador in Georgia warns that unilateral actions over the withdrawal of Russian forces from South Ossetia might have serious consequences for the process of normalisation of Russian-Georgian relations and for stability in the region ("Russian Embassy Warns of 'Serious Consequences'") [#44274], [ID 4546]

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09.02.2006 - Source: EurasiaNet

South Ossetia: Russian government may impose economic sanctions over Georgia if Georgian government expelled Russian peacekeepers, say Russian political and military leaders ("Russia and Georgia spar over South Ossetia, Abkhazia") [#44762], [ID 4547]

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26.01.2006 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia worsen over quarrel about gas ("Cold War Between Georgia and Russia") [#42955], [ID 4550]

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23.01.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Interior Minister demands of Russian government to extradite two Russian citizens, Anatoly Sisoev and Roman Boiko, who are suspected of committing terrorist acts against Georgian energy facilities ("Tbilisi Wants Russia to Extradite 'Terrorist Suspects'") [#42727], [ID 4552]

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05.01.2006 - Source: Council of Europe - Parliamentary Assembly

Despite May 2005 agreement to withdraw Russian military troops from Georgia by 2008, Georgian Parliament adopted a resolution in October 2005 threatening that mandate of Russian troops in breakaway regions would end in 2006 ("Implementation of Resolution 1415 (2005) on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Georgia [Doc. 10779]") [#41527], [ID 4553]

"21. An agreement on a timetable for withdrawal of the Russian military troops on Georgian territory was eventually reached in May and signed by the two Foreign Ministers. Under its terms, Russia would completely close down its bases in Georgia by 2008, starting with Akhalkalaki and then Batumi.

22. In October, the Georgian Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution in which it threatened to end the mandate of the peace-keeping forces of Russia in the two Georgian breakaway regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia if there was no progress in their performance by 10 February 2006 in South Ossetia and 1 July 2006 in Abkhazia. There is no ready-made solution for the moment to replace the existing peace-keepers. The resolution is not legally binding for the government; officials explained to the monitoring delegation that at this stage it should rather be regarded as a declaration of intent.

23. According to several international observers, this move could complicate the further withdrawal of Russian troops, as Russia is now insisting that the agreement reached in May should be backed by a text ratified by the Russian Duma. Although the timetable for 2005 has so far been respected, the most important removal operations have to be performed in 2006."

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20.12.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Tbilisi: Russian officers were detained by Georgian military police; no reasons were given for detention ("Russian Servicemen Detained in Tbilisi") [#41812], [ID 4555]

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22.11.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

3 Russian soldiers detained in Zugdidi area for illegally crossing the border and currently held in Poti; maximum sentence is 5 years in prison ("Georgia Detains Three Russian Servicemen") [#39564], [ID 4559]

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10.08.2005 - Source: EurasiaNet

Russia´s military withdrawal from its two bases in Georgia welcome by Georgians; final agreement on the withdrawal should be signed on 27 August in Kazan; even after withdrawal Russian troops will remain as peace-keepers in Abkhazia and South Ossetia ("Russia’s troop withdrawal from Georgia: The start of a new friendship?") [#36254], [ID 4560]

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01.07.2005 - Source: ReliefWeb

Russia’s two remaining military bases in Georgia to be closed by the end of 2008, Russian and Georgian governments agree ("Base deal seen as mutually acceptable compromise") [ID 15469]

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