Georgian Interior Minister celebrates Christmas near occupation line
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Christmas is one of the main religious events for the Orthodox people that is celebrated on January 7.
Wishing everyone Merry Christmas, Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia visited servicemen guarding along the occupation line between Georgia and its Russian occupied region of Abkhazia.
Minister Gakharia visited Pakhulani, Khurcha and Ganmukhuri guarding stations along the occupation line. Photo by Interior Ministry's press office
Minister Gakharia wished everyone health, peace and the country’s unification. He thanked the staff of the Special Task Department for their service to the country and their bravery.
Members of the Georgian Orthodox Church, together with part of the Orthodox world, celebrate Christmas today according to the Julian calendar. The special liturgy commenced at Tbilisi's Holy Trinity Cathedral at midnight as Georgia's Patriarch Ilia II led the annual ceremony.
Alilo, the traditional celebratory Christmas march of Georgians through the street has taken place in Tbilisi and throughout Georgia's regions today as the country celebrates Christmas. During the Alilo march, the participants sang Christmas carols and exchanged gifts to mark Christmas, celebrated each year in Georgia on January 7.
A Georgian citizen has been detained near the occupation line between Georgia and its Russian occupied region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) for allegedly crossing the so-called border. Genadi Bestaev, 50, who lives in Zardiantkari village of Gori region near Tskhinvali now faces two months in prison.
Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has presented a plan on how to upgrade standards in the country’s temporary detention facilities.