Georgia has allowed a Russian diplomatic official to meet with one of the Russian nationals in custody awaiting trial on spying charges, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze said on Monday.
Russia previously asked Georgia via the Swiss embassy, which represents its interests in Tbilisi, to provide information on the detainees so as to properly identify them and establish their nationality.
As soon as the Russian side submits a request for a meeting with its other nationals in custody it will be granted, she said.
"These people are being charged with espionage, and in accordance with Georgian law they are to face Georgia justice," Kalandadze said.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry announced on November 5 it had arrested 15 people with alleged links to the Russian intelligence services. Two of them were released, while the others remain in custody.
Russia and Georgia fought a brief war in August 2008 over the former Georgian republic of South Ossetia, which was attacked by Georgian forces in an attempt to bring it back under central control.
Russia recognized South Ossetia and another former Georgian republic, Abkhazia, as independent states two weeks after the conflict. Georgia considers the two regions part of its sovereign territory.
TBILISI, November 15 (RIA Novosti)
