Kidnapped Georgians Released in South Ossetia

Georgian Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze told reporters after talks with President Saakashvili late on September 17, that all Georgian civilians abducted by group of armed men in South Ossetian conflict zone were released.

Georgian officials say that South Ossetian militias kidnapped 16 Georgians on September 17; however eight of them could escape. Later remaining eight Georgians were released, but all of them were severely beaten, according to the Georgian Defense Minister.

The South Ossetian side has made no comment regarding the incident so far.