October 28, 2009 . Georgia has protested to Russia over 16 Georgians being held in the Moscow-backed separatist region of South Ossetia.
Georgia accuses Russian troops who guard the boundary between Georgia and South Ossetia of kidnapping the 16 villagers Monday.
South Ossetia says the Georgians were detained after illegally crossing the border while collecting firewood.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry sent Russia a note of protest Wednesday demanding the villagers be released immediately. The note was sent through the Swiss Embassy in Tbilisi, which represents Russia's interests in the Georgian capital.
Russia and Georgia broke off diplomatic relations after fighting a brief war last year.
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