Occupied Tskhinvali region plans to open customs crossing point in Akhalgori

The de-facto leadership of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region (often referred to as South Ossetia) is planning to open a customs point between the region and the rest of Georgia.

De-facto head of Tskhinvali’s so-called customs committee Murat Tskhovrebov announced the news today.

He said that a customs point will open in the municipality of Akhalgori – a district in Georgia currently occupied by Russia.

Tskhovrebov added that the idea of opening a customs crossing point comes from the fact that goods "coming from Georgia” have never before been subject to taxation.

"The opening of a customs crossing point is needed to monitor the amount and quality of goods coming to [the region]. All goods coming from Georgia have been free from taxes for years”, he said.

He added that documentation needed for the opening of a crossing point have already been sent to the de-facto government.

Two of Russian-occupied regions of Georgia – Tskhinvali and Abkhazia – have their own de-facto governments, supported by Russia. These territories are internationally recognised as part of Georgia but Tbilisi has no factual control over them.