Russian guards illegally detain Georgian man near occupied Tskhinvali region

Russian border guards patrolling the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) between the Russian-occupied region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and the rest of Georgia have illegally detained a Georgian man for allegedly crossing the so-called border.

69-year-old Amiran Gugutishvili was detained near Koshka village in municipality of Gori in the Shida Kartli region on February 23.

His neighbours said the man was collecting woods in his own yard when he was approached by armed guards. Gugutishvili has not been seen since then. 

The village authorities said the man has health problems.

It is believed that, just like in all previous cases of illegal detentions, Gugutishvili is being held in a detention centre in occupied Tskhinvali.

Georgia’s State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said that the European Union’s monitoring Mission in Georgia has already been notified and measures are under way to free the Georgian citizen from illegal detention.

The illegal detention of Georgian citizens by Russian guards is a common issue near the ABL. Detainees are usually released once their family pays a fine.