Group: Russia targeted Georgians

MOSCOW, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Russia targeted Georgians for expulsion last year during a political dispute with the former Soviet satellite, Human Rights Watch said Monday.

In a report, “Singled Out: Detention and Expulsion of Georgians,” the group said the campaign began after Georgia detained four Russian military officers in late September on suspicion of spying. The officers were released a few days later.

“The Russian authorities claim that the expulsions weren’t targeting Georgians, but were part of the renewed fight against illegal migration,” said Holly Cartner, the group’s Europe and Central Asia director. “But in reality, this was a coordinated campaign orchestrated at senior levels of government that singled out Georgians for a specific period.”

In October and November, hundreds of Georgians were arrested and denied access to their consul or to lawyers, the report said. At least two died in Russian custody.