“Spies” to appear before Georgian court

Moscow demands to permit Russian diplomats’ meeting with Russian citizens detained in Georgia on suspicion of espionage. Tbilisi promises that their rights will not be violated.

According to Tbilisi’s information, Russian citizens suspected of espionage are Armen Gevorgyan, Ruben Shikoyan, Petro Devrishadze, and Yuri Skrilnikov.

Tbilisi does not negotiate with Moscow over the issue, however, Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia Nino Kalandadze told BBC that Georgian Foreign Ministry has already received Russia’s note asking to provide information about the arrested persons.

The official said that Russia applied to them asking to give a possibility to meet with the arrested persons.

She said Georgia does not negotiate with Russia on that issue.

“First of all because according to Georgian legislation they are suspected of espionage which means that they are to appear before the Georgian court and if their guilt is proved, they will be tried in accordance with Georgia’s legislation,” Nino Kalandadze stated.