Geneva Talks: Murder at Abkhazia ABL main topic of discussion

Officials from Georgia, Russia, de-facto authorities from Georgia’s two breakaway regions and international conflict resolution experts are meeting this week to discuss the tense situation near Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).

A Georgian delegation led by First Deputy Foreign Minister David Dondua is in Switzerland today, where the 36th round of the Geneva International Discussions convenes on June 14 and 15.

The Geneva International Discussions is the only international format of meetings addressing Georgia-Russia relations.

At this round of talks, the main topic of discussion will be the murder of Georgian man Giga Otkhozoria, who was gunned down near the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) separating de facto Abkhazia and rest of Georgia on May 19. The man was killed by a Russian-controlled "border” guard while on Tbilisi-controlled territory.

Within the framework of this round if talks, Georgia will demand the immediate detention and surrender of the accused murderer to the Georgian side in order to ensure that he is brought to justice in Georgia.

"The detention of the murderer is of principal importance for the avoidance of any possible provocation and of further escalation of the situation,” Dondua said.

"It is to be hoped that the Russian Federation and its occupation regime in Sokhumi will realize this responsibility and do their utmost to detain the accused and surrender him to Georgia within the shortest possible time.”

Another issue Georgia will raise at this round of talks is the continued process of installing barbed wire fences and so-called border signs by the Russian occupational forces across the occupation line. The latest case of illegal "border” movement was reported from Avlevi village on June 6.

"The murder [of Otkhozoria] and the reinforcement of the occupation line with various artificial barriers provides yet another clear proof of the need to create guarantees for the free and safe movement across the occupation line,” Dondua said.

Other issues raised by the Georgian side will include:

• Illegal detentions of Georgian citizens near Tskhinvali ABL;
• The necessity for Russia to adhere to its commitment to non-use of force;
• The necessity to create international security arrangements on the ground;
• The necessity to achieve progress on the return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs);
• Discrimination against ethnic Georgians; and
• Banning of the Georgian language at schools in the Gali district near Abkhazia ABL.

Since the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008, the Geneva International Discussions have been the only international format of dialogue between Georgia and Russia. At the meetings, according to the August 12, 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, issues including non-use of force, creation of international security arrangements in breakaway Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, and the safe and dignified return of IDPs and refugees are discussed.