GENEVA, Sept 1: Georgia has admitted to using cluster bombs during the South Ossetia conflict, said Human Rights Watch on Monday, after having earlier accused Moscow of using the same weapons.

HRW cluster bomb expert Bonnie Docherty told journalists the group had firm evidence that Russia had used cluster munitions and that in addition, Georgia just this weekend admitted to Human Rights Watch that they used cluster munitions in several locations. She added that the NGO got the information from a letter from the Georgian Defence Ministry, in response to questions posed by HRW.

Dropped from planes or fired from artillery, cluster bombs explode in mid-air, scattering bomblets and pose a lasting threat as many bomblets fail to explode on impact and act as landmines.

An international convention banning cluster munitions was formally adopted by 111 countries in Ireland in May, in a move that organisers hoped would stigmatise the lethal weapons as much as landmines. Neither Russia nor Georgia took part in the convention.

“Georgian officials have admitted using the M85 type of cluster munitions near the Roki tunnel,” said Docherty.

The Roki tunnel links Russia and South Ossetia.

Human Rights Watch also said that at least 14 civilians have been killed and thousands injured in at least four villages which were hit by cluster bombs from either Georgian or Russian forces.

“Russia has denied this (the use of cluster munitions), but we have firm evidence that it was used by Russia in several areas,” said Docherty.

Human Rights Watch said it had found evidence that two types of cluster munitions were used, the PTAB 2.5M and the M85.

In addition, it had heard reports of two other types of sub-munitions. It has documented the usage of these bombs at Shindisi, Pkhvenisi, Ruisi and Gori, but added that it had heard reports that at least nine sites were hit by such bombs.—AFP