Georgian, de-facto Abkhazian officials discuss security issues in Gali

An Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting was held yesterday in Gali in Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia, where the security conditions along the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) were on the top of the agenda.

The IPRM was created in February 2009 following the 2008 Russia-Georgia conflict to address security concerns and ensure the protection of human rights in the occupied regions.

The meetings are an opportunity to identify and discuss potential risks and follow-up on incidents affecting the communities along the ABL on a daily basis.

The State Security Service of Georgia reported that the case of Giga Otkhozoria – a Georgian citizen who was killed in the village of Khurcha in Zugdidi region last May – was once again put on the agenda as the government’s representatives believe it important to detain the individual accused of the murder, Rashid Kanjioghli.

Otkhozoria was on Georgian-controlled territory on May 19 towards 2:30 p.m. when he was gunned down by Russian-controlled border guards stationed near the ABL with breakaway Abkhazia.

Witnesses say that Kanjioghli then hid in occupied Abkhazia after shooting Otkhozoria six times.

Georgian government representatives also demanded the release of Giorgi Lukava, who has been illegally detained in a separatist Abkhazian prison since May 2011. He has been convicted of, as his wife puts it, "being a fighter" and sentenced to life imprisonment.

However, de-facto Abkhazian officials claimed Lukava’s health and safety is not in any danger. They also reiterated that plans to shut down two border crossing points would be carried out, despite opposition from the local and international community.

The only remaining port of entry will be Enguri Bridge. Crossing points at Nabakevi-Khurcha and Meore Otobaia-Orsantia will be closed.

Deputy Head of the Information-analytical Department under the State Security Service Kakha Kemoklidze believes that any kind of prohibition restricting the fundamental rights of the local population "will not only complicate their everyday lives, but also pose a threat to security on the ground”.

The next meeting of the IPRM will be held in Gali on March 21.