TBILISI. July 31 (Interfax-AVN) - Georgian intelligence chief Avtandil Ioseliani has ruled out the possibility that a large group of militants could infiltrate Chechnya from the Pankisi Gorge.
"One would be insane to cross the border in the Argun Gorge area, which is packed with landmines. Moreover, the largest unit of Russian border guards is deployed there," Ioseliani told Interfax on Wednesday.
Most Chechen militants have left the Pankisi Gorge, he said.
"Some of them moved to South Ossetia, Azerbaijan and Dagestan via the Russian Verkhny Lars checkpoint. A smaller number probably went through the Chechen section of the border three to four months ago," he said.
Ioseliani denied Russian politicians' accusations that Georgian authorities sponsor the militants.
"Under the circumstances, Moscow should not make groundless complaints against Georgia, but boost constructive cooperation between the two countries' special services and law enforcement agencies aimed at thwarting international terrorism," he said.