Georgia's ethnic cleansing claims 'fabricated'

Russia accused Georgia of making up allegations of ethnic cleansing in its breakaway provinces after Tbilisi failed to regain control of the areas in a five-day war.

Georgia has complained to the International Court of Justice of the murder of thousands of ethnic Georgians and the alleged displacement of some 300,000 people in a two-decade campaign of discrimination.

Russia, however, portrayed itself as a peacemaker and yesterday said the court had no jurisdiction to hear the case. Georgia is due to present its argument today. AP