President Mikheil Saakashvili announced on November 14 that he would issue a sweeping pardon of “petty criminals,” in an address less than two months before he is up for re-election in a snap presidential poll.

And the following day, the Russian Foreign Ministry accused Saakashvili of using “Russophobia” in his election campaign after the president reiterated Tbilisi’s allegations that Russia was trying increasing its military presence in Abkhazia.

In a speech aired on the state-run public broadcast service, Saakashvili said that prison is the “worst place” for rehabilitating convicts of non-violent crime and announced a presidential pardon for “petty criminals.”

“There are prisoners who have been convicted of stealing one chicken or breaking a car mirror. We should give them another chance,” the president declared.

However, he underlined—in an allusion to the violence some anti-government protestors used on November 7—that the government would maintain a tough stance on violent criminals and officials involved in corruption.

“At the same time, a violent criminal, a murderer or someone who wounded or threw stones at a police officer, and most importantly, a corrupt official, must under no circumstances feel that he has some prospects [of early release],” Saakashvili added.

Later in the day deputy Prosecutor General Nika Gvaramia said that the pardon would affect around 3000 prisoners, in a speech aired on the state-run broadcast service.

“But is does not mean that all of them will be released,” he said, clarifying that 1000 would be freed now, and a further 2000 would have their sentences shortened.

Saakashvili reiterated his government’s claims that Russia has illegally stepped-up its military presence in the breakaway region of Abkhazia, in a speech to doctors on November 14.

He said Georgian Ambassador to the UN Irakli Alasania is bringing the issue to the attention of the international community.

The president added that Moscow was trying to take control of Abkhazia, so that “Georgia, as a full-fledged independent state, would cease to exist.”

Saakashvili also said it was important for Georgia to remain “well” in the face of the Russian threat.

“The key is to be well. If we are well we will repulse every attack, and will protect and develop our country,” he declared.

Russia has accused the Georgian administration of encouraging anti-Russian sentiment ahead of the January presidential election.

In a statement released on November 15, the Russian Foreign Ministry describes early presidential polls in Georgia as a “farce,” and condemns the government’s claim that Russia is strengthening its military presence in Abkhazia.

“An obvious Russophobia turns out to be a cornerstone of the [Saakashvili’s] election campaign,” the statement reads, adding that various anti-Russian “propaganda” had been disseminated by the Georgian authorities in recent months.

“And in the most recent episode [of propaganda], President Saakashvili started to talk about the deployment of Russian tanks and other military hardware to Abkhazia,” the statement continues.