Occupation forces abduct Georgian citizen

The Russian-controlled occupation forces have illegally arrested one Georgian citizen near de facto Tskhinvali, the Georgian State Security Service has confirmed. 

The agency reports that the international community has already been informed regarding the abduction. 

The de facto Tskhinvali government says that the ‘detainee’ is a 47-year-old man ‘who illegally crossed the border’ in the village of Ergneti. 

The illegal detention of Georgian citizens is a common issue near the occupation line.

• State Security Service: illegal detention of Georgian citizens by occupation forces is a common issue since 2008

Illegally detained Georgian citizens are mostly released after their families pay a fine.

However, there have been several cases of Georgian citizens dying while in detention.

The standard fine is 2,000 Russian rubles ($27 USD).

Russia recognised the Georgian regions of Tskhinvali and Abkhazia as independent states in the wake of the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.

Only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria have taken the same step of recognition so far.

The rest of the international community says that the regions are occupied by Russia and urge the country to withdraw its troops from Georgian territory.