24 March 2009, 19:00
Georgia's MIA investigates links of suspects of buying arms with the opposition
In Georgia, the two detainees - Malkhaz Gvelukashvili and Lasha Chkheneli - have been charged with illegal purchase and storage of firearms. Now the MIA of Georgia tries to prove that the arms had been purchased for the opposition.
Let us remind you that at night on March 24 the police detained activists of the Party headed by Nino Burdzhanadze and named "Democratic Movement - United Georgia". It was also reported that in Tbilisi two activists of the oppositional Party "People's Movement to Save Georgia" were arrested.
Shota Utiashvili, head of the MIA's information-analytical division, said at today's briefing that so far there are no sufficient proofs to move charges of preparing a terror act and attempt of coup d'etat; however, charges of illegal firearm dealing are already justified.
Mr Utiashvili has noted that it is not clear yet whether Gvelukashvili and Chkheneli had any links with any political party. He refrained from any conclusions as to the sources of financing, since the inquiry is not over yet, as the "Georgia Online" reports.
Earlier, the MIA of Georgia has promulgated video records showing Malkhaz Gvelukashvili and Lasha Chkheneli.
It was reported by the ITAR-TASS earlier that the presented materials point to "particular persons, their plans, and also to sources for funding these plans," while Gvelukashvili and Chkheneli were detained on March 23 on suspicion of "a plot and organization of a putsch."
In her turn, Nino Burdzhanadze, leader of the Party "Democratic Movement - United Georgia", has reiterated today her suspicion as to objectivity of the video records promulgated by the MIA of Georgia and stated that the action of the opposition "will nevertheless take place" on April 9, as the IA "News-Georgia" reports.
