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Compiled by Messenger Staff
Thursday, June 2
Doku Umarov in Pankisi?

Pankisi Gorge has become a major topic for Russian media after it released information implying that Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov is hiding there. Whether Umarov really is hiding there or whether this is just a Russian fantasy is not known yet, however tension is expected to surround the issue, Versia writes.

“I do not know if Umarov hides in Pankisi, however those people who have close relations with him do not confirm it. But everything may happen, although as I understand he is in Turkey for medical treatment,” Georgian analyst on Caucasian issues Mamuka Areshidze said.

On the question of what will happen if Umarov is in Pankisi now, the analyst says that USA and Russia has signed an agreement according to which they should cooperate in arresting terrorists. So if he really hides in Georgian territory, Russia has a right to demand from America his detention.

Areshidze also talks about a version which is being discussed among Russian analysts. According to released information Doku Umarov was given a right to cross Georgian territory after he made it clear where his allies were located a few months ago, when 19 men and his private doctor were killed during a special operation. “If all this is true then we may think that Russians made a corridor to Umarov and gave him the right to move to Georgia, which would give ground to new speculation".



MP assesses 26 May events

At the briefing, the independent Member of Parliament, Karlo Kopaliani gave the assessment to the events, occurred in front of the Parliament on May 26, Akhali Taoba writes. According to him, during the halting of the rally, the norms, prescribed under the International Conventions, were violated through injuring protesters. The MP stated that the responsibility for the event shall lie with the political unions and political movements as well, which abandoned people in the streets.

The MP Karlo Kopaliani called on the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, David Bakradze to assess the events of May 26. In his opinion, the Temporary Investigation Commission should be set up in the Parliament to study the above-mentioned issue.