Occupying forces illegally detain two Georgian men

The illegally detained individuals are now in the Tskhinvali prison. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

Agenda.ge, 24 Apr 2019 - 12:53, Tbilisi,Georgia

Occupying forces have illegally detained two Georgian citizens living in the village of Nikozi, near the occupation live with Georgia’s occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region.

Georgian media report that Gabriel Melanashvili and Tamaz Mchedlidze, who were illegally detained late yesterday for crossing the so-called border, have been transported to Tskhinvali prison.

Locals say that the Tskhinvali de facto leadership is demanding $295 for the release of the individuals.

The mother of Gabriel Melanashvili says that her son has health problems.

Locals say that the two were inebriated and went to clean graves ahead of the Easter holiday.

The village cemetery is located close to the occupation line.

The European Union Monitoring Mission has been informed of the detention.

The State Security Service reported earlier this year that the occupying forces in the two Russia-controlled Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) have detained 327 Georgian citizens for “illegally crossing the border” between 2017 and 2019.