Russia to suspend transport and postal links with Georgia

Russia is to suspend transport and postal links with Georgia in its first retaliatory measure for the detention of four Russian military officers, news agencies reported today.

The RIA-Novosti, ITAR-Tass and Interfax news agencies quoted the transport and communications ministries as saying that all postal, air, road, rail and sea links with Georgia would be suspended.

The announcement came shortly after Georgia said it would release the four Russian officers, who were detained last week on spying charges, into the hands of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

It was not clear if the Russian authorities were aware of the imminent release.