Global General

Georgia arrests 13 accused of spying for Russia

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-11-05 19:23
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TBILISI, Georgia - Georgia's government on Friday announced the arrests of 13 people, including four Russian citizens, who are accused of spying for Russia's armed forces.

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The arrests were certain to further strain relations between the two countries, which fought a brief war in 2008. A spokesman for Russia's Foreign Ministry immediately described them as "a political farce."

Otar Ordzhonikidze, deputy chief of counterintelligence in the Interior Ministry, said many of the accused were military pilots.

The arrests, which took place in October, were announced on the day Russia's military intelligence agency celebrates its professional holiday, Day of the Military Intelligence Officer.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said it would wait for more information about the arrests before reacting.

"Let's wait, let's see, how convincing this political farce will be before giving our commentary," ministry spokesman Grigory Karasin was quoted by RIA Novosti news agency as saying.

Ordzhonikidze said the operation to round up the suspected spies began four years ago.