Ajarian rebels 'handing in arms'

Under Abashidze Ajarian forces were well-armed

The authorities in Georgia say they have recovered large quantities of weapons during a arms amnesty in the former rebel region of Ajaria.

Almost 3,000 automatic rifles, 400 grenades and 50 grenade launchers have been handed in, according to the interior ministry.

The amnesty, which has now expired, was launched in early May, after Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze fled to Moscow.

His departure ended a lengthy stand-off with the central government.

Mr Abashidze resigned after Ajarian protesters expressed support for recently-elected Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, and regional police switched loyalty to Tbilisi.

Under the hammer

During the confrontation, Mr Abashidze's security forces had distributed weapons to civilians.

Saakashvili (left) got the better of Abashidze

The rebel leader, who maintained strong links with Russia during his rule, strongly opposed the Western-leaning President Saakashvili.

The government says it plans to auction Mr Abashidze's fleet of foreign cars, as well as his artwork, antique furniture, and pedigree dogs.

The BBC's Natalia Anteleva in the Ajarian capital, Batumi, says Mr Abashidze kept more than 80 pedigree dogs at a monthly cost of more than $20,000 - in a country where teachers and doctors earn less than $50 a month.

However not all of the ousted leader's dogs will be sold.

A rare Caucasian shepherd - who had refused to feed himself since his master's departure - has been sent on to him in Moscow by specially chartered plane.