Georgian forces free hostages held by militants
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 29 August 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Georgian forces free hostages held by militants, 29 August 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5040b02328.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Last updated (GMT/UTC): 29.08.2012 12:40
The Georgian Interior Ministry says three security officers have been killed and five wounded battling a group of militants who seized hostages in the Lopata Gorge area after entering Georgia from neighboring Russia.
The ministry said 11 militants were killed in the fighting.
The forces secured the release of all 10 Georgian citizens who had been taken hostage and held in three groups.
Officials said at least six militants continued their resistance to the Georgian security forces who had been fighting the militants since late on August 28.
The militants are thought to have entered Georgian from the neighboring restive Russian republic of Daghestan.
The motives of the hostage takers were not immediately clear.
Based on reporting by AFP and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
