Releasing the Kidnapped is a Priority for the Law Enforcers

(Tbilisi, August 31 2002, Civil Georgia) – “At this stage we aim to release the kidnapped British citizen Peter Shaw and Father Basili, who are thought to be held in Pankisi gorge”, Nika Laliashvili, press secretary of the State Security Ministry, told the Civil Georgia today.

The anti-criminal operation that was launched in Pankisi gorge on August 25 will develop in three phases: setting the block posts, gathering information and arresting criminals.

Interior Minister Koba Narchemashvili leads the operation. According to Laliashvili, the first phase of the operation is not over yet and it is not yet know when the second and third stages begin.

By now, just one ethnic Arab and a Georgian criminal were arrested in the frames of the operation.