The Georgian troops were disarmed and detained by separatists

Georgia's Minister of Conflict Resolution Georgi Khaindrava said they were freed on Friday morning into the hands of Russian peacekeepers.

They were handed over to the Georgian authorities shortly afterwards.

Georgia said the incident was a provocation - the men were made to kneel in front of TV cameras.

The release came amid reports of fresh clashes between Georgian and breakaway forces in the village of Nikozi. There were no casualties.

Georgian anger

Russian peacekeepers and representatives of the Organisation of Security and Co-operation in Europe attended the prisoner release, in the village of Vanati.

We'll force the South Ossetian leader to regret that he put our servicemen on their knees before the eyes of the entire Georgian people Prosecutor-General Irakly Okruashvili Crisis dominates Georgian media

It is not clear whether all of the Georgian police have been released.

South Ossetian spokeswoman Irina Gagloyeva said three of the group, which numbers up to 50, were still being detained under suspicion of committing serious crimes but might be freed as a result of negotiations.

But Mr Khaindrava said he was not aware that anyone had been left behind.

The former captives said they were members of a police protection unit, although in Georgia they have been described in some quarters as "soldiers".

The raid happened on Thursday, when armed separatists entered Vanati - which is populated by ethnic Georgians - and disarmed the group, which was stationed there.

Tbilisi says they are under the joint Russian-Georgian peacekeeping command, but South Ossetian separatists have described them as "fighters".

Georgian leaders have been angered by the incident, in which the troops were forced to kneel in front of TV cameras and a large crowd.

"We'll force [South Ossetian leader Eduard] Kokoity to regret that he put our servicemen on their knees before the eyes of the entire Georgian people," said Prosecutor-General Irakly Okruashvili.

Russia blames Georgia

Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania described the affair as an "unprecedented and insolent provocation".

Correspondents say the situation in the region has worsened since new President Mikhail Saakashvili vowed to bring Georgia's breakaway regions under control, and Russia has blamed Georgia for the escalation.

SOUTH OSSETIA Population: Approximately 70,000 Capital: Tskhinvali Major languages: Ossetian, Georgian, Russian Major religion: Christianity Currency: Russian rouble, Georgian lari Profile: South Ossetia

On Tuesday, Georgian troops intercepted a Russian convoy near Kurta. Two Russian lorries which were carrying military equipment were impounded.

Eight of the 10 vehicles were released. The two that were loaded with weapons - including more than 100 missiles - were sent to Tbilisi.

Many people in Georgia suspect the Russians of siding with the separatists, correspondents say.

South Ossetia broke away from Georgia after a war that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union.

It claimed independence from Georgia and wants to join North Ossetia, which is ethnically similar and part of Russia.