Don't go to Georgia! Russia's urges its citizens

Russian foreign ministry has called on its citizens to avoid visiting Georgia.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Andrei Nesterenko said in a comment that the decision is an attempt to help Russian citizens avoid any inconvenience in Georgia related to the crossings of the border into Abkhazia and South Ossetia - two former Georgian regions that declared independence after the five-day war in August 2008.

A current Georgian law defines criminal responsibility for all foreign citizens who enter Abkhazia and South Ossetia not via Georgia, considering it an unlawful intrusion into its territory.

According to Mr Nesterenko the aim of such practice is clear: "Georgian authorities try to block Abkhazia's and South Ossetia's communication with the outside world by all possible means."

He also said that "Russians are systematically being subjected to arbitrary rule regardless whether or not they have ever been to Abkhazia and South Ossetia."

Tbilisi cut its diplomatic ties with Moscow shortly after Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008.