Second Phase of Pankisi Operation Begins

(Tbilisi, September 2, 2002, Civil Georgia) – Second phase of anti-criminal operation was launched today, which considers investigation and gathering information needed to fight crime in Pankisi gorge, Nika Laliashvili, press-officer of the State Security Ministry told Civil Georgia today.

Pankisi anti-criminal operation develops in three phases. Checkpoints were established during the first one. After the investigation phase concrete operations for detaining criminals will be initiated.

The State Security Ministry arrested one criminal suspect in Pankisi several days ago. Ethnic Arab Haled Omar was sentenced to 3-month preliminary detention yesterday.