(Tbilisi, February 26, Civil Georgia) - Georgian Intelligence Service denies that mass protests are held in Pankisi gorge by the local Kist population and Chechen refugees demanding granting autonomy to the gorge.

Russian media sources reported recently that Pankisi population carried out protest rally demanding autonomy for the gorge.

Approximately 7,000 refugees from Chechnya live in Pankisi at the moment, together with the local Kist [Georgian citizens of Chechen origin] population.