Chechen refugees in Pankisi Gorge resist deportation to Russia

Chechen refugees temporarily living in the Pankisi Gorge will not welcome being unceremoniously transported to Russia like bandits, and their response to any illegal action may be "unpredictable", head of the Chechen International Human Rights Committee Aslanbek Abdurzakov told journalists on February 6.

Commenting on the announcement made on February 5 by Nana Kakabadze, director of The Former Political Prisoners for Human Rights NGO, about the alleged existence of the Georgian government's plans to transfer several dozens of Chechen refugees to Russia, Aslan Abdurzakov said that he himself did not have such information but "definite attempts to increase tensions in the Pankisi Gorge area were being observed."

According to Mr Abdurzakov, it is "quite possible that the Georgian authorities will make that move to oblige Moscow in exchange for concessions in Abkhazia and Southern Osetia."

Nana Kakabadze told journalists on February 6 that she had received information about plans to transfer the refugees to Russia. "This step would be a gross violation on the part of the Georgian government," she said. According to Ms Kakabadze, the Chechen refugees living in Georgia have official status and any action against them would contravene the Georgian legislation.