Reports: Troops Deployed Near Abkhazia

Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili and Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili are in Mestia, the mountainous region of Svaneti in western Georgia which borders breakaway Abkhazia, Rustavi 2, Imedi and Public TV stations reported early on July 25.

According to these reports, units of Interior and Defense Ministry forces are also deployed in Mestia.

The deployment of troops came after the Georgian leadership refused to hold talks with rebel warlord Emzar Kvitsiani, who, with his militia group, is based in Kodori gorge in breakaway Abkhazia .

It is not yet clear what the authorities? plans are, as information remains scarce. Imedi TV reported that law enforcers barred its crew from shooting footage of the area and seized recordings that they had made.

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