29 September 2003, 17:21
Kidnappers of Russian peacemaker have been identified in Georgia
Russian and Georgian security men are currently conducting talks with the kidnappers of Russian peacemaker Grigory Derevyannykh to get the soldier released. It was reported on Monday at the headquarters of the Collective Peacemaking Forces in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone.
"Jointly with Georgian colleagues, Russian security men were able to identify the criminals who kidnapped the Russian soldier in Zugdidi on Saturday," it was learned from a source within the headquarters of the Collective Peacemaking Forces. "Names of the kidnappers are not disclosed for the time being in order not to jeopardize the operation to release the peacemaker. However, it was learned that they wanted to get a ransom for the release of the Russian soldier. It is also known that the kidnappers and the soldier are still in Zugdidi," the official at the headquarters added.
On Saturday Derevyannykh, together with two other soldiers, went from the Gali district of Abkhazia to Zugdidi on a truck. Derevyannykh remained in the vehicle, while the other soldiers went to the market. Derevyannykh was not in the truck when they returned.
Source: ITAR-TASS News Agency
