Poland, Czech Republic condemn human rights violations in occupied Tskhinvali

The Polish Foreign Ministry has demanded an objective account of the death of Georgian citizen Archil Tatunashvili in the Russian occupied region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and accountability for the perpetrators of the crime.

2/2 We demand an objective and urgent accounting of the circumstances of this tragic event and bringing to justice its perpetrators. We call for the immediate release of all Georgian citizens illegally detained in the occupied territory in Georgia.

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@PolandMFA) March 5, 2018

Thirteen days after Archil Tatunashvili’s death, his body has not been handed over to his family for burial and two other Georgian citizens Levan Kutashvili and Ioseb Pavliashvili, detained with Tatunashvili on February 22, still remain in occupied Tskhinvali.

The Foreign Ministry of the Czech Republic has also condemned the human right violations in the breakaway region of Tskhinvali and called for full access for international human rights institutions to the region.

The MFA is deeply concerned by the recent events in South Ossetia, Georgia, especially the tragic death of Georgian citizen Archil Tatunashvili", the statement reads.

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili once again reiterated yesterday that everything is being done to return Tatunashvili’s body to his family by the end of the week and ensure that the two other men detained with him also return safely to their homes on Tbilisi-administered territory.

• PM: Efforts underway to retrieve body of Georgian citizen

The Patriarchate of Georgia has announced that through the request of the Georgian Patriarch Ilia II Russian Patriarch Kirill has become involved in the body-transfer process.

The Georgian patriarchate has also announced that Tatunashvili’s body is supposed to be returned to his family either today or tomorrow.