|
|
|
| 05.05.200911:11 (GMT) | The former commander of Georgia’s national guards Koba Kobaladze has been arrested, according to broadcasting company Imedi.
It said Kobaladze was suspected of participation in organization of military rebellion. Officials said a Russian-backed plot against the authorities was uncovered and failed today at Mukhrovani military base, 30 kilometres from the capital city of Tbilisi.
Georgian forces surrounded a tank unit that was alleged to be involved in the plot and President Mikhail Saakashvili entered the base to negotiate the unit’s surrender, news agencies are reporting. In a televised address, President Saakashvili said the plot was an attempt by Russia to derail the planned NATO exercises scheduled to take place in Georgia on May 6, which he called a “symbolic event.”
According to Georgia’s Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili, the organizers were former high-ranking Defense Ministry officials. One of them is Giya Gvaladze, head of the special task unit Delta in the 1990s, according to Interfax news agency. The arrested officers will be charged with planning a coup and involvement in the Russian secret services, Utiashvili said. Russian envoy to NATO Dmitry Rogozin called the accusations ridiculous and absolutely unfounded, Interfax says.
Russia has denied accusations relating it to the military coup in Georgia, saying they were just delirium and agony of the ruling regime of Mikhail Saakashvili, Russian news agency ITAR-TASS reported, citing a source in the Russian security services.
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
