Russia suspends Georgia transport links

Russia's transport ministry has ordered the suspension of air, rail, land and sea links to Georgia, Russian news agencies report.

The move comes two hours after the Georgian Government moved to defuse a bitter spying row with Russia.

A ministry spokeswoman contacted by telephone has declined to comment on the reports.

Separately, the news agencies have quoted the communications ministry as saying postal links with Georgia have also been suspended.

They have also quoted the head of Russian Railways, Vladimir Yakunin, as saying he would advise the board of directors to suspend purchases of spare parts for locomotives from Georgia.

The Russian Government has threatened to impose economic sanctions against Georgia if it does not free four Russian army officers arrested on spying charges on Wednesday.

But earlier today, Georgia said it would hand over the four, to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

The detention of the officers has sparked the worst crisis in years in relations between two ex-Soviet states,

It is not clear if the steps announced by the ministries and the Russian railway were taken before news of the officers' hand-over or whether they are a sign of Russia's commitment to mount further pressure on Georgia for its pro-Western policies.

- Reuters