Gov’t demands details on death of Georgian citizen in occupied Tskhinvali

The Government of Georgia has demanded "clear and comprehensive information” on the death of Georgian citizen Archil Tatunashvili in the country’s occupied Tskhinvali region today.

The Georgian State Security Service has reported that Archil Tatunashvili, Levan Kutashvili and Ioseb Pavliashvili were illegally detained by occupying forces in the Akhalgori region of Georgia yesterday.

According to released information Archil Tatunashvili died in the hospital of the occupied Tskhinvali district today.

For the time-being, the State Security Service of Georgia is demanding via the hot line of the de-facto government and Russian occupation forces comprehensive information regarding the death of Tatunashvili and the illegal detention of the above-mentioned people,” the State Security Service says.

The State Security Service stated that the immediate and principle response over the case from international organizations and the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions is crucial.

It is principally important that Tbilisi National Forensics Bureau experts be allowed to have access on the ground to conduct a primary examination of the deceased,” the State Security Service added.

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated that it was essential that with the help of the international community to be cleared out how the people were detained and in which condition Tatunashvili died. 

The reaction is very important for those who were involved to be held accountable,” Kvirikashvili said. 

The Georgian Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili placed the responsibility for the death on Russia and the de-facto Tskhinvali leadership.

She stated that the international community has already been informed over the case.

Tskhinvali media  reported that 35-year-old Tatunashvili was detained in Akhalgori for "cooperating with Georgian law enforcers and participating in the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.”

They claimed that after being interrogated, the law enforcers tried to move Tatunashvili to a detention facility. However, the latter "resisted and tried to drag away a weapon from a guard.”

The media confirmed that force was used against Tatunashvili during the clash and the young man tripped on the staircase and fell.

The media stated that Tatunashvili died in a hospital from the received injuries.