Georgian officials said that the possible downing was not reported earlier because they were still checking information.

The government significantly increased the number of Georgian officials provided training on victim identification.

Over the next several months, villagers and Georgian officials said, hundreds of other fighters followed, never to return.

For Georgian officials, the issue is not simply money but regaining control over a basic service at favorable terms.

Georgian officials said that at least some of the four had been injured during their abduction.

Georgian officials said two to four police officers had been injured, none seriously.

Georgian officials determined that the car was contaminated with Caesium-137.

Relations between the two countries are at an all-time low, Georgian officials say.

A Georgian official said that the Americans had paid his country about $100,000 for the material.

Georgian officials said the buyers were believed to be people of the region, but offered no specifics.