Georgian MFA: Russia Sent Troops to Abkhazia

In a statement issued on October 15, the Georgian Foreign Ministry says that Russia has dispatched several hundred troops to Abkhazia, after the crisis erupted following the disputed October 3 presidential elections in the breakaway region.

?Georgia has confirmed information that Russia has illegally sent several hundred servicemen of its special purpose units to Abkhazia, Georgia, after October 3. Moreover, mobilization of armed groups of the North Caucasus Confederation is taking place in Sokhumi [capital of Abkhazia] and Gudauta. Members of this organization, under the command of Shamil Basaev [Chechen warlord] were actively engaged in the armed conflict in Abkhazia [in 1992-93],? the Georgian Foreign Ministry statement reads.

?The Georgian Foreign Ministry expresses strong protest and categorically demands from the Russian side to ensure immediate withdrawal of armed groups, which are composed by the Russian citizens, from the Georgian territory [Abkhazia]. The Ministry also calls the Russian side to refrain from taking steps, which are directed against Georgia?s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and which might trigger tensions and armed confrontation in the conflict zone,? the statement says.