Russia doubles Georgia gas bill

Link to the entire story
http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1626302006&format=print

Russia hits Georgia with huge rise in its gas bill

CHRISTOPHER STEPHEN

IN MOSCOW
RUSSIA deployed its energy weapon against Georgia last night, announcing it would double the cost for gas to its neighbour from 1 January.
The price rise comes a year after Ukraine faced a quadruple price rise from Moscow, and was announced amid continuing acrimony over Georgia's bid to join NATO. Gazprom, the Russian state gas monopoly, said it would charge Tbilisi £121 for 1,000 cubic metres of gas from 1 January, compared with £58 now.

Last month, Russia announced an economic blockade against Georgia after four Russian officers were arrested on spying charges. Yesterday's move is likely to send a shiver down the spines of Europe's politicians as Russia shows its willingness to use energy supplies against its rivals