Russian Spy Network

Georgia dismantle a network of important Russian spies. A total of 13 people arrested in this case. Four of them are Russian citizens, accused of providing sensitive military information to Moscow.

A spokesman for Minister Shota Utiashvili said the suspects, who include military officers of Georgia, has provided confidential information concerning the Georgian military to the GRU, the military's foreign intelligence agency of Russia.

Georgia and Russia's brief war in August 2008. Russian troops entered the country to repel a Georgian military attempt to retake the rebel region of South Ossetia that Russia supported.

Tensions between the two neighboring countries increased during the years before the war, including after the 2006 arrest of four Russian military officers on espionage charges. The four military officers were released and repatriated to Russia.

Utiasvili said the spy network was centered in the territory of Adjara, Black Sea Georgia, the former Moscow-backed rebel province of Tbilisi seized back in 2004.

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