Abkhazian leader Sergey Bagapsh expressed concern regarding the deteriorating security conditions in the predominantly Georgian-populated Gali district of Abkhazia and accused the Georgian side of trying to destabilize the situation there, Apsnipress news agency reported on January 16.

Bagapsh was speaking during a meeting with deputy representative of the UN Secretary General to Georgia Ivo Petrov in Sokhumi.

Bagapsh said that Georgian armed gangs are operating in the Gali district under the cover of the Georgian special services.

Interior Minister of the breakaway region Otar Khetsia also accused the Georgian side of being behind the criminal gangs in the Gali district.

“Frequent cases of kidnappings for ransom in the Gali district is a result of the Georgian special services operating there, which aim at discrediting the Abkhaz law enforcement agencies,” Khetsia told Apsnipress on January 16.

“We know that these crimes are committed by one group of individuals led by a resident of the Gali district - [surnamed] Kakulia… He is an active member of the Forest Brothers gang,” he added.

According to Georgian officials the Forest Brother and other Georgian guerrilla groups were disbanded last year.