Russian guards assault Georgian man on Tbilisi-controlled land

Russian-controlled border guards patrolling the so-called border between Georgia and its breakaway Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region have physically abused a Georgian man and attempted to illegally detain him.

The incident took place on Tuesday evening at Kirbali village near the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) separating de facto Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region from the rest of Georgia.

The man was identified as Zakaria Takadze, 50, a local resident who was shepherding his cattle near the village cemetery when he was approached by the armed border guards.

Takadze was adamant he never crossed the ABL and said he was standing on Georgian-controlled land when the occupying soldiers tried to kidnap him. The soldiers then allegedly physically assaulted Takadze with their gun butts as he resisted them.

Takadze was injured in the attack and was taken to hospital. After being treated he was sent home to recover.

Georgia’s State Security Council issued a special statement shortly after the incident.

"On July 26, 2016 in the vicinity of Kirbali village, representatives of occupation forces attempted to illegally detain a local resident, during which the latter suffered physical abuse,” the statement read.

”We strongly condemn the above mentioned fact, which serves as another provocative action from occupation forces and threatens the peace and stability on the ground.”

”The information on the incident was provided to the European Union’s Monitoring Mission and it will be one of the main subjects to be discussed at the next IPRM meeting.”