3 men released after illegal detention near occupation line

Three people kidnapped in Georgia’s eastern municipality of Gori located near Russian occupied Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) have been released from illegal detention.

Levan Bolotashvili, Giorgi Babunashvili and Revaz Sreseli were detained in the village of Artsevi for allegedly crossing the occupation line on Monday between Tskhinvali and the rest of Georgia while visiting cemeteries behind barbed wire fences in observance of Easter holiday traditions.

On the Monday after Easter, Georgians go to cemeteries to pay tribute to their ancestors. However, those living along the occupation line met with restrictions from those controlling the so-called border.

It is not always obvious where the occupation line has been demarcated as Russian occupation forces keep changing the so-called borders. This process is informally referred to as a "creeping occupation.”

134 people were detained by guards patrolling the occupation line separating breakaway Tskhinvali region from the rest of Georgia last year based on the information released by the Georgian State Security Service.

Detainees are usually released after their families pay a fine, which according to the Georgian State Security Service is generally around 2,000 rubles, which is about 88.80 GEL or $35.8 dollars or €34.02.