TBILISI-MOSCOW - As Rosbalt earlier reported, Boris Berezovsky, who owns the Georgian-based media company Imedi, made a trip to Tbilisi on Tuesday night and remained in the capital about five hours. He had flown from London on a visa issued in the name of Platon Yelenin aboard a plane belonging to Badry Patarkatsishvili, who, like Berezovsky, is sought by Russian authorities.

Yesterday, Berezovsky talked to Vremya Novostei reporter Arkady Dubnov and gave his comments regarding this trip. He said his aim was just to see his old friend Patarkatsishvili, whom he missed a lot, as well as Georgia itself. He denied any involvement in Georgian political affairs as well as possession of any special information.

Berezovsky commented on the current situation in Georgia, stating that the government must ensure a continuity of political and economic elites and stay faithful to the Constitution. He added that inviting leaders of Adjharia, Abkhazia and Ossetia to Moscow was a dangerous step, as well as giving Russian citizenship to Abkhazians.

As to the legal aspects of his visit, the oligarch explained that the Georgian authorities had no questions to ask him, as his new passport is official, issued as a part of British policy toward him guaranteeing political asylum and protection. He is going to continue his travels, including visiting other former Soviet countries, although he would not disclose any specific route.