Russian occupying forces detain two Georgians near breakaway Tskhinvali region

Russian occupying forces have detained two Georgian citizens in the village of  Bershueti in Gori Municipality, near the country’s eastern occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region.

Zaza Berianidze and Levan Turashvili were detained for "illegally crossing the border” when the two visited the village Trinity Church to pray, on the territory currently controlled by Georgia.

David Tsertsvadze, Gori municipality governor’s representative and locals claim the two had not crossed the occupation line.

The territory where the people were detained today belongs to the village and is under the control of Georgia. People walk on the area on a daily basis,” Tsertsvadze said.

In early July Russian occupation forces deployed in central Georgia moved the occupation line further into Georgian territory.

They illegally placed a new so-called border sign in the village of Bershueti.

This step saw about 10 more hectares of Georgian soil in the heart of the country now become occupied by Russia.