YEREVAN (ArmInfo)–After Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Chechen militants would be sought out and destroyed in Pankisi gorge–the militants have departed for safer regions with the intent to cross over to Turkey. A reliable source says that the Chechens have chosen the Georgian Samtskhe-Javakhk region as a safe haven.
The same source says that there are more Chechen militants in the Georgian towns of Bakuriani–Abastuman–Akhaltskha and Vardzia gorge. Gilayev–a Chechen field commander has recently appeared in Akhaltskha–where he met with the local criminals.There are speculations that they will cross over to Turkey.
Another source says that some Chechen militants may have found refuge in the Samsari mountains between Akhalkalaki and Tsalka regions of Georgia.
