Tbilisi should allow Russian diplomats to meet with alleged Russian spies detained in Georgia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.
"There are certain consular procedures, and we demand consular access. We want to make sure that the detainees are our citizens," Lavrov told journalists.
A total of 15 people, allegedly linked to the Russian security services, were detained in Georgia last week. Two of them were released, while the others remain in custody. Four of the detainees are assumed to be Russian nationals.
Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze said on Monday her country was ready to negotiate with Moscow on the repatriation of the suspected Russian spies.
"No negotiations on the issue are being conducted. This is a provocation," Lavrov said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier said the spy scandal was a political "farce," and accused the Georgian leadership of "chronic anti-Russian spy mania." Konstantin Kosachev, who heads the foreign affairs committee of the lower house of the Russian parliament, said that Georgia should remember that Russia will always defend its citizens.
MOSCOW, November 9 (RIA Novosti)
