(Tbilisi, September 9, 2002 Civil Georgia) - Commander of the Georgian Internal Troops Giorgi Shervashidze denied statement of the President of the unrecognized South Ossetian Republic Eduard Kokoev that the ethnic Ossetians were forced to leave Pankisi gorge after the anti-criminal operation has launched in the gorge.

Shervashidze told the reporters that the situation in the gorge became more stable after the Georgian law enforcers started operation there. He said that even those ethnic Ossetians who fled from instability in the gorge could return to their homes.

As a result of the anti-criminal operation 9 criminal suspects, one of them allegedly linked to the international terrorist organization, were arrested since August 25. Georgian Interior Minister said on September 7 that the operation is successful.