In the group of 18 foreigners detained in the United States on accusation for arms traffic are four Georgian nationals.
"Together with citizens of Armenian and other countries of East Europe, Nikoloz Nadirashvili, Vato Machitadze, Iosif Khabaradze and Levon Shvelidze have been detained on accusation for taking Russian arms to the United States", Georgian ambassador to the United States Levan Mikeladze reported by telephone from Washington.
"The accusation has already been brought", he added. Lawyers have been appointed for two detained Georgians. Representatives of the Georgian consulate have already met with the lawyers, Mr. Mikeladze said.
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili reported at a cabinet sitting on March 16 that the Georgian secret services participated in investigating the attempt at arms contraband to the United States.
"We do not know where the arms intended for bringing to the United States were from. It is known that they are of Russian make", Ms. Zurabishvili said.
"I have no information on whether the arms were brought from Georgia or through its territory. Many arms are said to be brought from Armenia", she said.
"Georgia has many times said that control by the central Georgian authorities should be established in the Roksky tunnel and on other parts of the border. This case is another confirmation of such need. Control is needed for the security of not only Georgia but also many countries from which the arms may have arrived", stressed the Georgian foreign minister.
The Roksky tunnel, linking Georgia and Russia, has during the last 15 years been in control of the authorities of the self-proclaimed republic South Ossetia.
American authorities have raised the accusation to 18 persons for the attempt at the contraband of portable antiaircraft missile systems, grenade-throwers, mortars and other arms to the United States.
