Day: February 9, 2024

On February 7, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova commented at the press conference on the Georgian State Security Service’s statement about the alleged transfer of explosives from Ukraine to Russia via Georgia. She blamed Ukraine and added that “unfortunately, this is not the first time that Georgia and its territory (then it was also people) are being used literally by all those who want to destabilize the situation in the post-Soviet space and resort to terrorist methods.”

Zakharova claimed that “this is another episode demonstrating the true essence of the Kyiv regime,” which, according to her, is a Western-encouraged “gang” that feels impunity and “continues to carry out the practice of terror…” primarily against Russian civilian targets.

She added: “I recall the rampant international terrorism in the North Caucasus, when it was through the territory of Georgia that international terrorists smuggled or tried to smuggle (sometimes succeeded, sometimes this was intercepted) weapons, ammunition, money and drugs, without which terrorism then and now, as exemplified by the Kyiv regime, is no longer “complete” in its characteristics.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said she also “remembered those who were behind the transfer of international terrorists” to Russia, claiming that “those who welcomed these same militants and extremists in Washington and London did everything to turn Georgia into a transit point for international terrorism.”

The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) announced on February 5 that it had seized special explosive devices and a large amount of explosive substances as a result of operational search and investigation activities. The SSSG said that the explosives were shipped from the Ukrainian city of Odessa, then they were transported through Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey and were brought into Georgia on January 19. They were transported in car with Ukrainian license plates and were to be transferred in Russia, specifically in the city of Voronezh via the Dariali border crossing.

Also Read:

• 05/05/2022 – Russian MFA Spox on Georgia’s Sovereignty, Abkhazia, Geneva Talks

Petre Kalashnikovi, a Georgian citizen who was illegally detained by the Russian occupation forces, has been released, the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) reported on February 8. The released man was allegedly detained on September 15, 2023 in the occupied territory of the Tskhinvali region near the village of Odzisi, Dusheti municipality (according to the local media of the occupied Tskhinvali region he was detained on September 14).

According to the SSSG, the emergency hotline and “other instruments at the disposal of the central government” were activated to secure Kalashnikovi’s release from illegal detention.

“The central government, together with international partners, continues to work actively for the release of all Georgian citizens illegally detained in the occupied territories,” the SSSG said, adding that “the responsibility for all destructive acts committed in the occupied territories of Georgia, as well as along the occupation line, rests with the occupying power.”

Also Read:

• 15/01/2024 – Georgian Citizen Illegally Detained by Russian Occupation Forces
• 06/12/2023 – Georgian Citizen Released by Russian Occupation Forces

7 Turkish citizens received refugee status in Armenia in 2023  ARMENPRESS

Armenian Foreign Minister, OPCW Director General discuss partnership  ARMENPRESS

Armenian Defense Minister visits the northeastern border zone  ARMENPRESS

Ararat Mirzoyan, Fernando Arias discuss Armenia-OPCW cooperation (PHOTOS)  NEWS.am

FM Mirzoyan presents Armenia’s vision for regional stability to Dutch lawmakers  ARMENPRESS

The number of COVID-19 cases in Kazakhstan increased 2.5 times in January compared to December 2023, Chief Sanitary Doctor Aizhan Esmagambetova said, Report informs via Kazakhstani media.

Azerbaijan bought new Akinci attack UAVs from Türkiye.

A gunman shot four people dead and wounded another at a market in Georgia’s southeastern city of Rustavi, the Interior Ministry of the Caucasus country said on February 9.