This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/5391250.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Russian officers on spying charge Russian officers on spying charge
(about 3 hours later)
Four Russian officers detained in Georgia have been charged with spying, officials in Tbilisi have said. Four Russian officers detained in Georgia have been charged with spying, Georgian officials have said.
The men were expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing shortly, a Georgian interior ministry spokesman said. The men appeared in a Tbilisi court for a preliminary hearing, where the issue of their detention until the opening of the trial is being considered.
Russia is recalling its ambassador to Tbilisi after Wednesday's arrests and is beginning a partial evacuation of its personnel from Georgia.Russia is recalling its ambassador to Tbilisi after Wednesday's arrests and is beginning a partial evacuation of its personnel from Georgia.
Georgia's president described Moscow's reaction to the arrests as "hysteria".Georgia's president described Moscow's reaction to the arrests as "hysteria".
In a separate development, Russia's ambassador to the UN has called on the Security Council to censure Tbilisi for "dangerous and unacceptable" actions in Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region.In a separate development, Russia's ambassador to the UN has called on the Security Council to censure Tbilisi for "dangerous and unacceptable" actions in Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region.
We neutralised a very serious and dangerous group Vano MerabishviliGeorgian Interior Minister Russia-Georgia tensions
Relations between Moscow and Tbilisi have deteriorated in recent weeks, since Georgia and the Western military alliance Nato agreed to hold talks on closer relations, correspondents say.Relations between Moscow and Tbilisi have deteriorated in recent weeks, since Georgia and the Western military alliance Nato agreed to hold talks on closer relations, correspondents say.
On Friday, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov accused some new Nato members of illegally supplying Georgia with Soviet-era weapons. He did not name the countries.
Video footageVideo footage
The charges against the Russian officers had been formally filed by Georgian investigators, Georgia's Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Khizanishvili announced. The charges against the Russian officers had been formally filed by Georgian investigators, Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Khizanishvili announced.
He added that a court in Tbilisi would now consider the issue of preliminary detention of the officers. He added that the Tbilisi city court would now consider the issue of preliminary detention of the officers.
Georgian police are still surrounding a Russian military HQ building in Tbilisi. Georgian police are still surrounding a Russian military HQ building in the capital. They say another Russian officer they want to question is sheltering inside.
They say another Russian military officer they want to question is sheltering inside.
A Russian contract serviceman who was detained together with the four officers has been released, Georgian and Russian officials said.A Russian contract serviceman who was detained together with the four officers has been released, Georgian and Russian officials said.
More than 10 Georgian nationals have also been accused of treason by the Georgian authorities.
Tbilisi has shown video footage which it says shows the Russian officers discussing military installations with Georgian citizens and exchanging money.Tbilisi has shown video footage which it says shows the Russian officers discussing military installations with Georgian citizens and exchanging money.
Georgia has also linked them to an attack in the town of Gori which killed three police officers and injured dozens of people.Georgia has also linked them to an attack in the town of Gori which killed three police officers and injured dozens of people.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said the charges against the officers were false and were intended to divert attention from Georgia's internal problems. The Russian defence minister said the charges against the officers were false and were intended to divert attention from Georgia's internal problems.
EvacuationEvacuation
On Thursday, Moscow said it was recalling its ambassador to Tbilisi. On Thursday, Moscow said it was recalling its ambassador, and ordered a partial evacuation of its personnel and members of their families in Georgia.
It also ordered a partial evacuation of its personnel and members of their families in Georgia "in connection with a growing threat to their security". A Russian emergencies ministry plane was already in Tbilisi and was expected to evacuate more than 100 officials - including the ambassador - on Friday.
A Russian emergencies ministry plane was expected to leave Tbilisi later on Friday.
Moscow also advised Russians not to visit Georgia, and stopped issuing visas to Georgian nationals.Moscow also advised Russians not to visit Georgia, and stopped issuing visas to Georgian nationals.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili denounced the Russian reaction to the arrests as "hysteria". Georgia, meanwhile, has accused Russia of actively trying to undermine its government by backing separatists in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Trading accusations The arrests coincided with the first official visit by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili to a disputed area on the border between Georgia and Abkhazia.
Georgia has accused Russia of actively trying to undermine its government by backing separatists in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The arrests coincided with the first official visit by President Saakashvili to a disputed area on the border between Georgia and Abkhazia.
Russia said his visit was dangerous and would raise tensions between Russia and Georgia.Russia said his visit was dangerous and would raise tensions between Russia and Georgia.
Tbilisi also says Moscow is waging economic war against the country through embargoes on imports of Georgian products. Tbilisi also says Moscow is waging economic war against the country through embargoes on imports of Georgian products, which Russia denies.
Russia has denied the allegations. Relations between the two nations have become increasingly tense since Mr Saakashvili came to power in 2004, pledging to take the Caucasian nation out of Russia's orbit and join Nato and the European Union.
Relations between the two nations have become increasingly tense since Mr Saakashvili came to power in 2004, pledging to take the Caucasus nation out of Russia's orbit and join Nato and the European Union.
In 2005, Russia agreed to close its two remaining Soviet-era bases in Georgia by 2008.