Russian
Ambassador in Georgia Confirms Abashidze is in Moscow
TBILISI
(RIA Novosti) – Russian ambassador in Georgia, Vladimir Chkhikvishvili
confirmed that former leader of the Adzharian autonomy (within
Georgia), Aslan Abashidze is in Moscow, reports the Novosti-Georgia
news agency.
"I know
he is in Moscow, but where exactly – I’ve got no information,"
the ambassador said. "I’m pleased that everything was settled
in Adzharia without violence and bloodshed. The situation there
is more or less normal now," Chkhikvishvili said.
Abashidze
left Batumi in the early hours of Thursday. He flew to Moscow
together with Russian Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov.
Aslan Abashidze’s son, Georgy Abashidze, who has been Batumi’s
mayor for the last three years, as well as some people from Abashidze’s
entourage, flew to Moscow as well.
According
to the information by some Georgian mass media, Adzharian State
Security Minister Soso Gogitidze flew to Moscow together with
Abashidze.
Early in the
morning on Thursday, the plane with Abashidze on board arrived
in Moscow’s Vnukovo-2 government airport. It is unknown yet where
Abashidze stayed in Moscow – in a hotel or in a mansion he owns.
Georgian President
Mikhail Saakashvili granted Abashidze and his family guarantees
of immunity.