Abkhaz Reports Counter Russian Official’s Allegations on ‘Foiled Terrorist Act’
An anti-tank mine recovered from under the rail on a section of the Abkhaz railway currently being repairing by the Russian Railway Forces was apparently planted in the early 1990s, Abkhaz news agency, Apsnipress, reported.
Alexander Drobishevsky, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, said on June 14, after a TM-62-M anti-tank mine had been recovered, that “an attempt to carry out a subversive-terrorist act” had been made against servicemen of the Russian Federation’s Railway Forces. Interfax news agency reported, quoting Drobishevsky as saying that the mine had been placed under the rail “approximately 10 to 30 days ago.”
Apsnipress news agency, however, reported on June 16 that according to “conclusions by a specialist” the mine had been placed during the armed conflict in the region in 1992-1993. The area, where the mine was recovered, close to the village of Tamishi in Ochamchire district, was the scene of heavy fighting between Georgian and Abkhaz forces in the early 90s.