British Embassy saddened by Georgian man’s death in Abkhazia
The occupation line divides occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) from rest of Georgia. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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British Embassy to Georgia is saddened by the death of 29-year-old Georgian citizen Irakli Kvaratskhelia, who died in unclear circumstances in occupied Abkhazia earlier this week.
Saddened by death of #Georgia|n Irakli #Kvaratskhelia detained at a Russian facility in #Abkhazia. Our thoughts are with his family. Only #Russia can provide credible explanation. Denying access for int HR monitors to Abkhazia & #SouthOssetia makes these tragedies more likely.
— UK in Georgia (@UKinGeorgia) March 15, 2019
British Ambassador Justin McKenzie Smith shared a photo of him standing in front of a barbed wire fence today, saying “South Ossetia. Abkhazia. Not forgotten”.
Keeping people out or keeping people in?
— Justin McKenzieSmith (@JustinMcKenzieS) March 16, 2019
Artificiality and injustice of #Russia-controlled separation of #Georgia sinks in when you see it up close.#SouthOssetia #Abkhazia. Not forgotten. pic.twitter.com/bJ5TD6CLyX
Russia recognised independence of Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali after the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.
Only Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru and Syria have joined in Russia's recognition, while the rest of the international community condemns Russia's violation of Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The Georgian State Security Service and the European Union Monitoring Mission to Georgia (EUMM) have dismissed reports by a Facebook user that occupying forces have entered the Tbilisi-administered territory of the Khurvaleti village at the occupation line between Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region and the rest of Georgia and are now standing in the yards of locals.
The so-called border between the Georgian occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region and the rest of Georgia has reopened after about a two-month closure, the European Union Monitoring Mission head to Georgia Erik Hoeg has confirmed.
Two Georgian citizens, who were detained near occupied Tskhinvali region for “illegally crossing the border” on March 13, have been released today. Georgian citizens are often detained near the occupation line and are usually released after paying a fine.
The US Department of State’s Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2018 that Russian illegal activities in Georgia are separating residents from their communities and livelihoods.
European Union Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell is saddened by the death of Georgian citizen Irakli Kvaratskhelia, who died in unclear circumstances in occupied Abkhazia earlier this week.
Georgia/s Permanent Representative to Geneva, Victor Dolidze, spoke with European Union ambassadors about the recent tragic death of Georgian citizen Irakli Kvaratskhelia in occupied Abkhazia.
Foreign Minister of Lithuania Linas Linkevicius says that the death of Georgian citizen, 29-year-old Irakli Kvaratskhelia in unclear circumstances in Georgia’s occupied region of Abkhazia on March 10 should be promptly investigated.
Occupying forces have illegally detained two Georgian citizens living in the village of Nikozi, near the occupation live with Georgia’s occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region. Georgian media report that Gabriel Melanashvili and Tamaz Mchedlidze, who were illegally detained late yesterday for crossing the so-called border, have been transported to Tskhinvali prison.
Leader of the anti-occupation movement Power is in Unity David Katsarava, who frequently patrolls the occupation line, has been charged with violence for an incident that took place in the summer of 2019.
Russia’s activities and its occupation of Georgian territories remain major threats to state security, the 2019 report of the Georgian State Security Service reads.