7 Nov 2012 12:01

Joint Staff chief, brigade commander detained in Tbilisi - lawyer

TBILISI. Nov 7 (Interfax) - Georgian Armed Forces Joint Staff Chief Giorgi Kalandadze and Defense Ministry brigade commander David Shamatava were detained in Tbilisi early on Wednesday morning, following the detention of former defense and interior minister Bacho Akhalaia, lawyer David Dekanoidze said.

In his words, no charges have been brought against any of the three detainees.

Representatives of the former ruling party United National Movement told reporters the detention of Akhalaia, Kalandadze and Shamatava was "an act of political reprisal" by the new authorities.

President Mikheil Saakashvili appointed Kalandadze as the Chief of the Joint Staff about a month ago. Incumbent Defense Minister Irakli Alasania opposed that appointment.