Georgia allows Russian official to meet with alleged spy ring
12:48 22/11/2010
TBILISI, November 22 (RIA Novosti) - Georgia has allowed a Russian official to meet on Monday with four Russian nationals who are awaiting trial on espionage charges in Tbilisi, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze said.
The meeting is scheduled for 1 pm Moscow time (10:00 GMT.)
Russia asked Georgia for permission to meet with the detainees via the Swiss embassy in Tbilisi, which represents Russia's interests in the country, Kalandadze told RIA Novosti.
Last week, a Russian official was allowed a meeting with one of the suspected spies.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry announced on November 5 it had exposed a network of 15 people, including four Russian nationals, linked with Russia's intelligence services.
Russia has described the exposure as a "propagandist trick" and "political farce."
Russia and Georgia fought a five-day war in August 2008 over the former Georgian republic of South Ossetia.
Russia recognized South Ossetia and another former Georgian republic, Abkhazia, shortly after ceasefire.
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