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Russian officers on spying charge Russian officers on spying charge
(30 minutes later)
Four Russian officers detained in Georgia have been charged with spying, officials in Tbilisi have said.Four Russian officers detained in Georgia have been charged with spying, officials in Tbilisi have said.
They were expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing later on Friday, a Georgian interior ministry spokesman said. The men were expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing shortly, a Georgian interior ministry spokesman said.
Russia is recalling its ambassador to Tbilisi after Wednesday's arrests and is beginning a partial evacuation of its personnel from Georgia.Russia is recalling its ambassador to Tbilisi after Wednesday's arrests and is beginning a partial evacuation of its personnel from Georgia.
Georgia's president described Moscow's reaction to the arrests as "hysteria".Georgia's president described Moscow's reaction to the arrests as "hysteria".
In a separate development, Russia's ambassador to the UN has called on the Security Council to censure Tbilisi for "dangerous and unacceptable" actions in Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region.In a separate development, Russia's ambassador to the UN has called on the Security Council to censure Tbilisi for "dangerous and unacceptable" actions in Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region.
Relations between Moscow and Tbilisi have deteriorated in recent weeks, since Georgia and the Western military alliance Nato agreed to hold talks on closer relations, correspondents say.Relations between Moscow and Tbilisi have deteriorated in recent weeks, since Georgia and the Western military alliance Nato agreed to hold talks on closer relations, correspondents say.
Video footageVideo footage
The charges against the Russian officers had been formally filed by Georgian investigators, Georgia's Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Khizanishvili announced on Friday. The charges against the Russian officers had been formally filed by Georgian investigators, Georgia's Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Khizanishvili announced.
He added that a court in Tbilisi would now consider the issue of preliminary detention of the officers.He added that a court in Tbilisi would now consider the issue of preliminary detention of the officers.
Georgian police are still surrounding a Russian military HQ building in Tbilisi.Georgian police are still surrounding a Russian military HQ building in Tbilisi.
They say another Russian military officer they want to question is sheltering inside.They say another Russian military officer they want to question is sheltering inside.
A Russian contract servicemen - who was detained together with the four officers - was released on Friday, Georgian and Russian officials said. A Russian contract serviceman who was detained together with the four officers has been released, Georgian and Russian officials said.
Tbilisi has shown video footage which it says shows the Russian officers discussing military installations with Georgian citizens and exchanging money.Tbilisi has shown video footage which it says shows the Russian officers discussing military installations with Georgian citizens and exchanging money.
Georgia has also linked them to an attack in the town of Gori which killed three police officers and injured dozens of people.Georgia has also linked them to an attack in the town of Gori which killed three police officers and injured dozens of people.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said the charges against the officers were false and were intended to divert attention from Georgia's internal problems.Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said the charges against the officers were false and were intended to divert attention from Georgia's internal problems.
EvacuationEvacuation
On Thursday, Moscow said it was recalling its ambassador to Tbilisi.On Thursday, Moscow said it was recalling its ambassador to Tbilisi.
It also ordered a partial evacuation of its personnel and members of their families in Georgia "in connection with a growing threat to their security".It also ordered a partial evacuation of its personnel and members of their families in Georgia "in connection with a growing threat to their security".
The first plane of Russia's emergencies ministry was expected to leave Tbilisi later on Friday. A Russian emergencies ministry plane was expected to leave Tbilisi later on Friday.
Moscow also advised Russians not to visit Georgia, and stopped issuing visas to Georgian nationals.Moscow also advised Russians not to visit Georgia, and stopped issuing visas to Georgian nationals.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili denounced the Russian reaction to the arrests as "hysteria".Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili denounced the Russian reaction to the arrests as "hysteria".
Trading accusationsTrading accusations
Georgia has accused Russia of actively trying to undermine its government by backing separatists in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.Georgia has accused Russia of actively trying to undermine its government by backing separatists in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The arrests coincided with the first official visit by President Saakashvili to a disputed area on the border between Georgia and Abkhazia.The arrests coincided with the first official visit by President Saakashvili to a disputed area on the border between Georgia and Abkhazia.
Russia said his visit was dangerous and would raise tensions between Russia and Georgia.Russia said his visit was dangerous and would raise tensions between Russia and Georgia.
Tbilisi also says Moscow is waging economic war against the country through embargoes on imports of Georgian products.Tbilisi also says Moscow is waging economic war against the country through embargoes on imports of Georgian products.
Russia has denied the allegations.Russia has denied the allegations.
Relations between the two nations have become increasingly tense since Mr Saakashvili came to power in 2004, pledging to take the Caucasus nation out of Russia's orbit and join Nato and the European Union.Relations between the two nations have become increasingly tense since Mr Saakashvili came to power in 2004, pledging to take the Caucasus nation out of Russia's orbit and join Nato and the European Union.
In 2005, Russia agreed to close its two remaining Soviet-era bases in Georgia by 2008.In 2005, Russia agreed to close its two remaining Soviet-era bases in Georgia by 2008.