Three lost Georgian hunters allegedly found in Dagestan

The three Georgian citizens who went on hunting on December 28, 2015 and got lost due to heavy snow have been allegedly found in Dagestan, North Caucasus republic under the Russian rule. 

Georgia’s Special Envoy to Russia Zurab Abashidze stated today that he has already contacted with the Russian Emergency Situation Management Department for the three Georgian citizens to be handed to the Georgian side. 

The initial steps have been taken. After the first communication the involvement of other structures will also be necessary,” Abashidze said, noting that the people who are currently in Dagestan are allegedly those three residents of eastern Kabali village who have not been seen from the end of December. 

Georgia's Special Envoy to Russia Zurab Abashidze said he has already contacted with Russia's relevant body over Georgian citizens. 

The locals of Kabali village, eastern Lagodekhi municipality, announced on December 29 that their four residents went for hunting and could not get back as heavy snow and storm hit the area. 

On December 31 only one returned out of the three as he managed to walk faster than others. The one did not have information about the whereabouts of his friends. 

All the relevant bodies have been involved in the searching operations in these days; helicopters were also used during the process. 

On January 7 the Georgian media outlet-Kakheti Information Centre- spread the information that the people were in Dagestan, detained there for alleged illegal crossing of border. 

As the people have not been completely identified Kakheti Governor Irakli Shiolashvili has stated that searching operation for the hunters was still in progress.