UPDATED: Georgian citizen detained near occupied Tskhinvali released
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Updated: 18:23
A Georgian citizen illegally detained by de-facto ‘border’ guards near Georgia’s Russian occupied region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) has been released.
So-called ‘border guards’ detained Zurab Zhgenti on December 28 for allegedly crossing the ‘border’.
According to the Georgian State Security Service, Zhgenti was released from Tskhinvali jail yesterday.
Earlier: 12:47
A Georgian citizen has been detained by de-facto ‘border’ guards near Georgia’s Russian occupied region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).
Zurab Zhgenti, 64, lives in the village of Alevi in Kareli region close to the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL).
The de-facto State Security Committee’s press service said an investigation is now underway and the case may be sent to their court.
Read also: Occupied Tskhinvali closes "border” with the rest of Georgia for New Year
Russian-backed breakaway Tskhinvali calls the occupation line between Tskhinvali region and the rest of Georgia "the state border” and treats any cases of line crossing by locals as cases of "illegal border crossing.”
In some areas, the line is not well differentiated, and occupant forces often advance the so-called border. Consequently, the illegal detention of Georgian citizens is a common issue along the occupation line.
Detainees are usually released once their family pays a fine.
Relatives living on opposite sides of the occupation line between Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) and the rest of Georgia will have no chance of celebrating the upcoming New Year together.
Another Georgian citizen who had been illegally detained in Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Abkhazia has been released from jail. Manuchar Tsushbaia was released today after he was detained for so-called "illegal border crossing” by occupation forces in September.
Georgian civic activist Tamara Mearakishvili who was illegally detained in Akhalgori near the Russian occupied region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), has been released early this morning.
A Georgian father and son have been kidnapped by occupant forces of the de facto Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region for allegedly crossing the so-called border between Georgia and its breakaway territory.
Two Georgian citizens Ioseb Gundiashvili, 40, and David Gerkeuli, 30, were detained late yesterday by Russia-controlled border guards near Adzvi village in Gori municipality, the State Security Service of Georgia has confirmed today.
Georgian citizen Tamaz Iluridze has been detained by Russia-controlled border guards near the Plavismani village in Gori municipality.
According to Georgia’s State Security Service, Iluridze is accused of illegally crossing the so-called border. The EU monitoring mission has already been informed about the incident.