Detained Russian Policemen May Be Extradited to Russia

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, August 21, 2002) – Georgia may comply with request of Russian embassy in Georgia to hand in three detained Russian policemen to Russian authorities.

Minister for Security Valeri Khaburdzania stated that President Shevardnadze personally talked with him whether it is possible to treat them more benign. According to Khaburdzania, if Russian embassy in Georgia asks Georgian government again to extradite them, Minister for Security Affairs may comply and hand in them to Russian side.

Georgia already refused to comply with this request.

Georgian law enforcers detained three Russian policemen near Pankisi Gorge. According to detainees, they intended to buy a car in the gorge. Georgian policemen found their argument suspicious and detained them.