Russia Carrying Out Sweeping Checks On Georgians
October 04, 2006
Stepped-up security outside a building managed by the Georgian Embassy in Moscow on October 3 (ITAR-TASS)
The checks came as Russia severed all transport and postal links with Georgia amid a spying row.
On October 2, Georgia handed back four Russian soldiers accused of spying, but Russia is nevertheless proceeding with the sanctions.
Andrei Kokoshin, the head of the Duma's CIS Relations Committee, said the lower house of parliament today will pass a statement denouncing the Georgian government's "anti-Russian" policies.
"[The statement] expresses concern over [Georgia's] policy of violating human rights and basic democratic freedoms and, of course, the provocative actions against Russian peacekeepers and military personnel," Kokoshin said.
The Russian parliament is also expected to pass a bill that could ban Georgians working in Russia from wiring money home.
Russia says hundreds of millions of dollars are transferred from Russia to Georgia each year.
(compiled from agency reports)