TBILISI. Jan 14 (Interfax-AVN) - Georgian Interior Minister Koba Narchemashvili has made a series of "specific decisions" aimed at settlement in the volatile Kodori gorge, head of the Interior Ministry press service Paata Gomelauri said on Monday.
The decisions will be implemented in a few days, Gomelauri told a news conference.
In particular, the minister has ordered to relocate checkpoints set up by his ministry's troops deeper into the gorge. Narchemashvili's first deputy Zurab Chkhaidze will be in control of the operation.
The minister banned any negotiations with criminals hiding in the gorge or payment of ransom for liberation of hostages being held in the gorge. Any official of the Interior Ministry bodies in the area will be fired in case there is information on his/her illegal activities. "In case this information is proven true by investigators, the official will be brought to justice," Gomelauri stressed.
Several high-ranking officials of the Kakhetian territory police department were fired last week after their connection with criminal gangs in the Pankisi gorge was exposed. Investigation into their activities is underway, Gomelauri said.