30 November 2010, 23:10
Georgia to try suspects of spying for Russia in mid-December
In Georgia, the Batumi City Court will start, presumably on December 14-15, the trial of the 13 citizens of Russia and Georgia detained as members of a spy network set up in the country.
According to advocate Shalva Lebanidze, the pre-trial detention of his client Ruslan Galogre expires on December 14; therefore, according to Georgian legislation, a trial should start. However, the investigation, according to the lawyer, may be extended; and, accordingly, the date of the trial may be reappointed, the Georgian sources "Expert Club" reports.
A similar statement was made by advocate Nana Tsuladze, who is defending the interests of detainees Armen Gevorgyan and Ruben Shikoyan. According to her story, their clients' have their custody expired on December 15, the "Interfax" reports.
The trial will be closed, and the lawyers have no right to disclose any details.
According to the inquiry, the detainees worked for the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation; they gathered information about procurements by the Ministry of Defence and MIA of Georgia, as well as about Georgian high-ranking power officials.
