Three Arrested in S.Ossetia for Alleged Counterfeiting

Authorities in breakaway South Ossetia said they have arrested three Georgians who allegedly tried to distribute counterfeit USD 100 000 on the territory of unrecognized republic, the South Ossetian news agency OSinform reported on January 4.

Interior Minister of the breakaway region Mikhail Mindzaev said that the suspects planned to hand over fake dollars to South Ossetian residents in order to fabricate a case against them as evidence proving that the region is part of an international counterfeiting ring.

A relative of one of the arrested men told Rustavi 2 TV on January 4 that three men who had USD 10 000 in cash were arrested on January 2 after they arrived in Tskhinvali to buy a Kamaz truck.

Officials in Tbilisi have long been accusing authorities in the breakaway region of collaborating with local criminal groups in producing and disseminating fake dollars.

The Washington Post reported in November 2006 that the U.S. Secret Service and Georgian police were investigating an international counterfeiting operation that reportedly stretches from breakaway South Ossetia to the United States.

Secessionist authorities in Tskhinvali have strongly denied allegations as part of Tbilisi?s ?black PR campaign? against authorities of the breakaway region.

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