Interior Minister says Gov’t doing its best to make occupants hand over Tatunashvili’s body

The Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia has stated that the government of Georgia is doing its utmost to achieve the handing over of Tatunashvili’s body.

Tatunashvili died in unclear circumstances in occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) on February 23.

We are doing our best to end such tragedies as soon as possible,” Gakharia told the media after he visited the Tatunashvili family to express his condolences.

• See US assessment over the fact.  

The earlier meeting between the family and the Minister took place shortly after the incident when the family blocked the central highway as they were protesting and demanding the body.

The minister then arrived at the scene and briefed the family about the government’s activities in the case. After the communication the family and others protesting re-opened the highway linking east and west Georgia.

Janelidze's meeting with foreign diplomats. Photo from the Foreign Ministry press office. 

After raising Tatunashvili’s case at all his meetings in the UN, the Foreign Minister has held a special meeting with the representatives of the diplomatic corps in Tbilisi.

• See international assessments over Tatunashvili's death.  

Janelidze briefed the diplomats over the latest developments of the case and spoke about the importance of unanimous actions against Russian occupation and such cases of the violation of human rights.

The minister highlighted the importance of allowing an international mechanism on the ground, which is strongly opposed by Russia and de facto regimes.

 Vice Speaker of Parliament of Georgia Tamar Chugoshvili has also emphasized the importance of the involvement of the international community in the issue.

The parliament and government of Georgia are doing their utmost to inform the international community over the issue and make Russia and occupants step back,” Chugoshvili stated.

Chugoshvili stated that the parliament is actively involved in anti-occupation actions. Photo from the parliament of Georgia press office.  

Tatunashvili and two others were detained by occupant forces on February 22. Tskhinvali media announced Tatunashvili’s death on February 23.

• See Foreign Minister's speech at UN, with the focus on the death. 

The de facto regime representatives claim the man died due to the heart failure. The Government of Georgia does not believe this version of events and demands the body in order to carry out an autopsy. 

However, Tskhinvali refuses to hand over the body until Russian experts reveal their conclusion about the reasons for the man’s death.