Georgian photographers aided 'spy network'

Four Georgian photographers detained for alleged espionage were working for a "spying network" and their arrest had nothing to do with their journalism, the presidency said on Friday. "I should make very clear: this case is about a serious infiltration of our institutions, not about journalism or media activities," said President Mikheil Saakashvili's spokeswoman in a statement. The photojournalists, including Saakashvili's personal photographer, were arrested in overnight raids on Thursday and are accused of spying for a foreign country. Officials did not name the country involved but Georgia's pro-Western administration has repeatedly accused arch foe Russia of running espionage operations on its territory, both before and after the war they fought in 2008 The photographers are accused of "passing confidential informations -- written documents in this case, or confidential agendas -- to an organisation identified as spying network", presidential spokeswoman Manana Manjgaladze said in the statement.