US Embassy: A full account of tragic death of Georgian citizen in occupied Tskhinvali must be provided

The United States (US) Embassy to Georgia expressed its deep concern over the death of Georgian citizen Archil Tatunashvili during his February 22 arrest and detention in the Russian occupied region of Georgia – Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).

We express our condolences to Mr. Tatunashvili’s family and call on the responsible persons, including Russian officials exercising de facto control over Georgia’s South Ossetia region, to provide the Georgian government with a full accounting of the circumstances of this tragic incident", the US Embassy said.

In yesterday’s statement, the US Embassy said the United States is also deeply concerned by the arrest of Georgian citizens Levan Kutashvili and Ioseb Pavliashvili and calls on the de facto authorities to allow for their immediate freedom of movement across the administrative boundary line.

Continuing to encourage all sides to agree on additional measures to strengthen mutual confidence and transparency in the affected region, US reiterated its full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and rejected Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

US Embassy also called for justice in the May 2016 murder of Georgian citizen Giga Otkhozoria along the ABL of Georgia’s another Russian-occupied territory of Abkhazia.

We once again urge Russia to fulfill all of its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions, to reverse its recognition of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, and to provide free access for humanitarian assistance to these regions", the statement further reads.

Russia-Georgia Ceasefire Agreement was signed on August 12, 2008. By signing the deal both sides agreed to:

• The non-use of force;
• A definitive halt to hostilities;
• The provision of free access to humanitarian assistance;
• Georgian military forces must withdraw to the places they are usually stationed;
• The Russian armed forces will pull back to the line where they were stationed before the start of hostilities. While awaiting the installment of an international mechanism, Russian peacekeeping forces will implement additional security measures;
• The launch of international discussions on security and stability modalities in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Read about the death of Georgian citizen in occupied Tskhinvali here.