TBILISI, January 21 (RIA Novosti) - The Georgian military police tried to seize the Russian military base near the Black Sea port of Batumi Friday night, the commander of the Russian Group of Forces in the Caucasus said Saturday. Major General Andrei Popov said 25 military policemen seized a number of facilities at the Gonio firing range, "which is jointly used by Russian and Georgian servicemen".
Popov said Georgian Lieutenant Colonel Gocha Ninindze, who commanded the group, said he was fulfilling an order.
The incident was settled after the Russian commanders and the Russian Embassy in Georgia discussed the situation with Georgian authorities, he said.
Popov said the group left the facilities soon after midnight.
"Any illegal actions against our servicemen and facilities in Georgia will be resolutely stopped," Popov said.
He said the withdrawal of Russian bases from Georgia begun last year and that Russia had been complying with its obligations under the withdrawal terms.
"Unfortunately, such incidents complicate the pullout of Russian bases from Georgia," he said.
