Georgia condemns "Russia backed coup attempt"

A Georgian army mutiny at Mukhrovani base near Tbilisi has been described as a coup attempt with Russian backing by the Georgian government. Though confusingly Defence minister, David Sikharulidze said the main aim of the uprising was to attempt to disrupt NATO exercises being held in Georgia. The commanders at the base have been dismissed and the soldiers, from a tank batallion, confined to barracks following talks between the Georgian president and the plotters. The Georgian government said the plotters received Russian money and Russian special forces would support the uprising, the Russians replied that the allegations were crazy. NATO declined to comment.