About Civil.ge
Eng | Geo | Rus
Last updated: 10:55 - 1 May.'18
RSS
Mobile
Twitter
Facebook
Russian Ambassador Comments on ‘Spy’ Row
Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 29 Sep.'06 / 12:21

Russia’s Ambassador to Georgia Viacheslav Kovalenko said on September 29 that evidence put forth by the Georgian law enforcers  against four Russian military officers suspected in spying is fabricated, and he demanded Georgia “to immediately release” and apologize for the “groundless arrests” of the Russian officers.

“Actions against the Russian military officers have significantly complicated Russian-Georgian relations. Of course Russia will not leave this issue without a response,” he told reporters on September 29.

He said that he “could not understand anything” from the video and audio recordings that were unveiled by the Georgian Interior Ministry to prove the involvement of four Russian officers and eleven Georgian citizens in espionage against Georgia.

“Very strange materials. I could not understand anything from them. I am sure this is not evidence. These are some kind of edited recordings from which it is impossible to understand anything. Our attorney will deal with this… I am sure there is no fact or evidence proving the allegations brought against our officers,” Kovalenko said.

Russia recalled its Ambassador from Georgia on September 28 and also announced a “partial evacuation” of its citizens from Georgia.

Ambassador Kovalenko said that his return to Georgia depends on the Georgian side’s further actions.

On a question when he plans to return to Georgia, the Russian Ambassador responded: “It depends on the Georgian side… Ask [Georgian Interior Minister Vano] Merabishvili this question.”

He said that his major assignment in Georgia was “to develop friendly relations with Tbilisi, but this mission seems impossible because of the Georgian side’s actions.”

“First of all Georgia should immediately release the Russian officers and Georgia should apologize for groundless arrest of the Russian officers,” Kovalenko said.

He also said that over 100 employees of the Russian Embassy in Tbilisi are leaving for Russia on September 29.

Latest News
01 May.'18 10:55
We Have Moved to a New Platform
Direct Your Bookmarks to https://civil.ge.
29 Apr.'18 03:54
Ruling Party Candidate Wins MP By-Elections
Givi Chichinadze will represent Vani and Khoni single-mandate constituency in the Parliament of Georgia.
28 Apr.'18 09:40
Polls Open for Vani and Khoni MP By-Elections
48,123 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in Vani and Khoni single-mandate constituency.
27 Apr.'18 17:23
State Dept’s Europe Affairs Point Man to Visit Tbilisi
Wess Mitchell will meet senior government officials and address the NATO-Georgia Public Diplomacy Forum.
27 Apr.'18 13:45
In Quotes: Georgian Politicians on Ex-PM Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Comeback
Bidzina Ivanishvili will be approved as the Georgian Dream party chairman at the upcoming convention.
26 Apr.'18 18:15
SG Jens Stoltenberg: Georgia NATO’s ‘Very Close’ Partner
The NATO Secretary General says Foreign Ministers meeting tomorrow will recognize the country’s progress.
26 Apr.'18 14:24
Ex-PM Ivanishvili to Chair Georgian Dream Party
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said Ivanishvili was ‘best equipped’ to add new dynamism to the party.
26 Apr.'18 11:12
Lawmaker Proposes Criminal Liability for ‘Insult of Religious Feelings’
The parliamentary human rights committee decided to set up a working group for scrutinizing the draft law.
25 Apr.'18 17:21
New Abkhaz Government Head Appointed
Gennady Gagulia has served as the Abkhaz “prime minister” twice - in 1995-1997, and 2002-2003.
25 Apr.'18 14:43
Watchdog Improves Georgia’s Press Freedom Ranking
None of the countries of the former Soviet Union (except the Baltics) are ranked ahead of Georgia.

About Civil Georgia
Civil.Ge © 2001-2025, Daily News Online
Registered office: 2 Dolidze Str, 4-th Floor.
14