11:12, 19 August 2008

Georgia and Russia exchange prisoners

Today at 11:00 a.m. (10:00 a.m. Moscow time), near Igoeti village (some 40 km off the capital of Georgia), at the checkpoint set up by Russian militaries, the exchange of prisoners took place.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported earlier that the exchange of prisoners was due to take place on Monday, August 18; however, it failed because of arisen disagreements.

The IA "News-Georgia" reports that the Russian party has delivered 15 person: 13 militaries and two civilians. The Georgian party has handed over to the Russian party five persons, including two pilots from the military aircraft shot down in a flight over Georgia.

The Reuters' correspondent, an eyewitness of the procedure, reports that at least one wounded pilot was handed over to the Russian. Ambulances were called up to the venue, as some prisoners were transported on stretchers.