Georgia Says Mutiny Underway
By VOA News 05 May 2009

Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili gives a news conference in Tbilisi, 05 May 2009

Georgia's Defense Minister says a "rebellion" is under way at a Georgian military base outside Tbilisi.

Officials said a coup was uncovered Tuesday at the Mukhrovani military base. They said the main aim of the uprising was to disrupt NATO military exercises in the country.

Officials say the uprising is backed by Russia.

Last month Moscow urged NATO to postpone military exercises in Georgia, but NATO refused to delay the military drills set to begin May 6.

NATO said the exercises were planned last year. The drills will be aimed at improving coordination between NATO members and their partner countries and will involve 1,300 troops from 19 countries

Russia sees neighboring Georgia as part of its sphere of influence and sent troops into the country after Georgians tried to retake the breakaway South Ossetia region last year.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.VOA