MOSCOW. Jan 21 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia has extradited to Georgia Shota Chichiashvili, a resident of the Pankisi gorge whom the Georgian Prosecutor General's Office charged with aggravated crimes, Federal Security Service (FSB) Director Nikolai Patrushev told journalists on Wednesday.
Patrushev met with Georgian State Security Minister Valery Khaburdzania and Prosecutor General Irakly Okruashvili earlier on Wednesday.
"Today's meeting between representatives of the Russian and Georgian law enforcement structures focused on wrapping up the extradition process for Chichiashvili, who was detained in Russia and suspected of committing serious crimes in Georgia," Patrushev said.
Chichiashvili was charged with setting up an armed group that was active between 1998 and 2001 and involved in the illegal trade of firearms, ammunition, and explosive substances. Chichiashvili is suspected of attacking policemen, robbing a bank in Georgia and assaulting a member of parliament. He was also charged with participating in the hostage taking of Georgian and foreign citizens, including Red Cross staff. The rebel group held two Spanish businessmen hostage for a year and then released them after being paid a ransom.
The Wednesday meeting is not the first instance where Russian and Georgian law-enforcement officials have worked together, he said.
"This has been done before and will be continued," he said.
Khaburdzania expressed gratitude to the Russian prosecutor general and the director of the FSB.
"We have laid a new foundation for cooperation among the Georgian and Russian prosecutor's offices and security agencies," he said.
"Chichiashvili is Terrorist #1 in Georgia. He is responsible for numerous serious crimes," he said.
Georgian Prosecutor General Irakly Okruashvili expressed hope that the extradition will lay the foundation for further fruitful relations with the Russian colleagues.
Russian Prosecutor General Vladimir Ustinov said that "today's meeting marked the beginning of our fruitful work."