Parliamentary majority, minority agree on joint resolution over Archil Tatunashvili’s death

Georgian parliamentary members from the ruling and opposition parties have agreed on adopting a joint resolution over the recent death of Georgian citizen Archil Tatunashvili in the Russian occupied region of Tskhinvali.

When it concerns the country’s national interests and the right to life and security for our citizens, the Parliament of Georgia will adopt a united, principle and strong resolution”, Georgian Dream parliamentary majority leader Archil Talakvadze said at today’s committee meeting.

25 days since Tatunashvili’s death in unclear circumstances and his body has still not been returned to his family.

The resolution demands the immediate return of Tatunashvili’s body to his family and the provision of a comprehensive investigation into the case with the participation of international experts.

According to the resolution, the Government of Georgia will be obliged to come up with a list of individuals who have violated the human rights of Georgian citizens in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, and the international community will be called on to take appropriate measures against those included on this list, also known as the "Otkhozoria-Tatunashvili” list.

It will also demand the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the occupied regions to their original homes in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).

The resolution will reveal those who have violated Georgian citizens’ rights in Russian occupied regions. Photo by Mzia Saganelidze/RFERL

Condemning Russia’s illegal actions in occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze said it is still unknown when Tatunashvili will be transferred to his family on Tbilisi-administered territory. However, the ministry continues working on the issue with the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions, which since the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008 has been the only format of dialogue between Georgia and Russia.

Janelidze hopes an independent and impartial investigation will clarify the details of the case.

• Tatunashvili and two other Georgian citizens were detained by occupation forces on February 22 in the Akhalgori area, on territory currently controlled by Russians. Tatunashvili died on February 23 in unclear circumstances while in detention.
• Levan Kutashvili and Ioseb Pavliashvili, who were detained with Tatunashvili, were only able to leave the occupied region on March 11.
• Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has urged the leadership of the Russian Federation to take joint steps to resolve this "complicated situation”.
• Expressing their sadness over Tatunashvili’s death, the Russian Federation said this issue is far out of the framework of the Russian-Georgian agenda.