Russian Embassy in Georgia confirms officers' transfer to OSCE

The Georgian presidential administration said earlier Monday the four Russian officers would be handed over to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

"The transfer of the Russian officers arrested in Georgia to OSCE officials will take place in the second half of Monday," said Ivan Volynkin, Russia's charge d'affaires in Georgia. "The transfer will take place in the Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia."

Five army officers were detained in Georgia last Tuesday, but one was later released. Russia said the arrests and espionage charges were a provocation.

Volynkin said Russian diplomats only met with the detainees Friday night and were denied a new meeting with them.

A Red Cross official who visited the officers Saturday said they asked him for help in arranging a meeting with Russian Embassy officers and lawyers, and also enquired about their families.

/RIA Novosti/