irakli alasania

Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Defense Minister Irakli Alasania says Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan have relocated to a safer place after the last attack on one of their bases, which caused the death of seven soldiers.

However, the investigation into the Taliban threat video, which coincided with the attack has not come very far, he added.

In an interview with the newspaper Kvela Siakhle, Alasania said the Georgian contingent has switched to a completely new model for its service in Afghanistan.

“Safety measures which were planned in Afghanistan during my visit with NATO commanders and Georgian contingent heads are almost completely fulfilled,” he said, adding that the two Georgian military bases are now finally closed.

Georgian units moved to a different and safer location, he said, adding that Taliban has been ‘really active’ in the latest period.

Last month, a video was posted on Youtube containing threats against Georgian soldiers serving in Afghanistan, which caused public concern. The National Movement party demanded that the government promptly and thoroughly investigates it and finds out who ordered and posted the video. Since then, investigators have only said that they determined the IP address used by the uploader and that it was posted from Georgia.

Alasania noted that he is familiar with the details of the case, but there are many tricks to make it hard to track IP addresses.

“However, the investigation is moving forward and we want the truth to be found soon. We shouldn’t be in a hurry,” he said.

About 1 700 Georgian soldiers are now serving in ISAF. Georgia has lost 29 soldiers as part of its participation in ISAF. The last ten soldiers died in attacks on two Georgian bases. They were both closed and the soldiers moved to other locations.

From 2014, Georgia plans to continue its cooperation with NATO, but not in a military format. Few details are known, but according to NATO and government officials, this will be consultations and military training for Afghan military.