Russia, Georgia swap prisoners
Moscow, Aug 19 (UNI) Russia and Georgia today exchanged prisoners captured by both sides during the recent military conflict over the breakaway region of South Ossetia.
The exchange of prisoners took place near Georgia's capital Tbilisi, a day after a similar deal failed to go ahead, the Russian Defence Ministry told RIA Novosti news agency.
Moscow handed over 13 Georgian military personnel and two civilians, in exchange for five Russians, among them two pilots, said Colonel Igor Konashenkov, an aide to Russia's Ground Forces commander.
The prisoner exchange took place in Igoeti, a town located some 40 km from Tbilisi at 1100 hrs local time.
The deal was initially scheduled for yesterday, however, the talks failed when Georgian negotiators walked out after making requests ''unrelated'' to the exchange, a senior military official said.
Georgia's Defence Ministry accused Russia of failing to provide an accurate list of prisoners.
Lt Col Andrei Bobrun, an aide to the commander of the North Caucasus Military District, said Russia was to hand over 11 Georgians. The Georgian Defence Ministry later requested the number be increased to 15.
The
Deputy
Chief
of
the
Russian
General
Staff
Col
Gen
Anatoly
Nogovitsyn
yesterday
said,
''We
had
planned
an
exchange
of
15
Georgian
for
12
Russian
troops.'' UNI
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SKB
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