MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION INFORMATION AND PRESS DEPARTMENT _______________________________ 32/34 Smolenskaya-Sennaya pl., 119200, Moscow G-200; tel.: (499) 244 4119, fax: (499) 244 4112 e-mail: dip@mid.ru, web-address: www.mid.ru |
The Russian servicemen were on their way to investigate a road accident that also occurred in the conflict zone on the night of January 31-February 1.
More than 250 armed Georgian army members were introduced into the conflict zone.
In response to this new provocation a resolute protest was at once expressed to the Ambassador of Georgia to Russia, firmly demanding an immediate release of the Russian officers and the withdrawal of the troops. The Georgian units were withdrawn from the conflict zone on the night of February 8-9.
The Russian MFA and the Embassy of Russia in Georgia during the day on February 9 took all possible measures for the soonest release of the Russian army officers.
Assurances were given by the Georgian authorities that the matter would be settled before the day's end. But towards the end of the working day on February 9 the Russian officers still remain under arrest.
Tbilisi should be aware that the full responsibility for the consequences of this provocation lies on the Georgian side.