The Russian Consulate in Georgia says the four Russian military officers under arrest in Georgia will be flown to Moscow later on Monday.

The consulate says the four officers will be first handed over to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Chairman-in-Office Karel de Gucht, and then to Russian diplomats.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced as an "act of state terrorism" the Georgian measures to continue the detention of the four Russian officers amidst a growing row between the two countries.

 
“Obviously, they want to provoke Russia by all means. Their intention is very clear.”

Meanwhile, reports say Russia has ordered to suspend all postal, air, road, rail and sea links with Georgia

Relations between Moscow and Tbilisi have been increasingly strained since Georgia arrested several Russian officers last week on espionage charges.