Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on Tuesday thanked security service officers for the recent operation in which 15 suspected Russian spies were arrested.
"The Georgian president thanks Georgian security service officers for their professionalism and hard work in uncovering a Russian military intelligence spy ring," Saakashvili's spokeswoman said.
A total of 15 people, allegedly linked to the Russian security services, were detained in Georgia last week. Two of them were released, while the others remain in custody. Four of the detainees are Russian nationals.
The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier said the spy scandal was a political "farce," and accused the Georgian leadership of "chronic anti-Russian spy mania." Konstantin Kosachev, who heads the foreign affairs committee of the lower house of the Russian parliament, said that Georgia should remember that Russia will always defend its citizens.
Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze said on Monday her country was ready to negotiate with Moscow on the repatriation of the suspected Russian spies.
TBILISI, November 9 (RIA Novosti)
