Russia’s presidential envoy in the North Caucasus hit out on Tuesday at Georgia’s decision to scrap visa requirements for residents of the volatile region, calling the move a “political travesty.”

Alexander Khloponin also said the decision was part of an overall plan to “destabilize the North Caucasus.”

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili announced earlier in October the introduction of a visa-free regime with Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, and Adygeya. The scheme came into operation on October 13.

“The initial reaction of any sane person to this move by President Saakashvili is the to laugh and say it is the ravings of a crazy person,” Khloponin said during a call-in show with residents of the North Caucasus.

But he added, a careful analysis showed it was part of a “general plan for the destabilization of the Caucasus region.”

Khloponin added that the decision was a “cheap trick.”

MOSCOW, October 26 (RIA Novosti)