EUMM: Restriction of freedom of movement is cause for concern
The Head of EUMM Erik Hoeg is also deeply concerned about continued ‘borderisation’ in Gugutiantkari. Photo: Erik Hoeg/Twitter
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The European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) told Agenda.ge that the de facto authorities of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region have confirmed the detention of eight people on the evening of August 17 and morning of August 18 near the village of Akhalubani, in Gori Municipality via the mission’s hotline.
Restriction of freedom of movement of any kind is cause for concern. At this time it is important to avoid any actions that could further increase tensions. EUMM encourages a humanitarian approach and the swift release of the detainees”, the EUMM told Agenda.ge.
The mission is also aware of the situation in the village of Gugutiantkari and has facilitated communication between the Tbilisi and Tskhinvali since August 6, when new 'borderisation' works began. Since that time, mission patrols "have maintained an intense monitoring presence in the area".
We continue to use the hotline to provide information to all parties, and to urge restraint in order to avoid any destabilising encounters. The new fencing means that local residents may lose access to land, drinking and irrigation water”, the EUMM explained.
The EUMM further stressed that the hotline continues to be effective in communicating and exchanging information “as quickly and as efficiently as possible, assisting in clarifying the situation and also in addressing specific concerns of the relevant actors”.
Deeply concerned about continued ‘borderisation’ in Gugutiantkari at the Adm. Boundary Line with South Ossetia. New fencing hinders freedom of movement and could stop locals from accessing orchards and water resources. #EUMM monitors present on the spot. pic.twitter.com/oL4bJqS0oi
— Erik Hoeg (@erik_hoeg) August 14, 2019
A total of eight Georgian citizens have been detained near the village of Akhalubani, in Gori Municipality, close to the occupied Tskhinvali region for “illegally crossing the border” today and yesterday.
Moreover, occupation forces have erected artificial barriers in Gugutiantkari, another village of the Gori Municipality, leaving two residential houses beyond the so-called border.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry calls on the international community to take “effective measures to stop the illegal activities of the occupation forces” in Georgia.
It also calls on the Russian Federation “to immediately stop its illegal activities” and withdraw its forces from Georgian territory to ensure “sustainable peace and security” on the ground.
Yet another Georgian citizen has been detained near the village of Akhalubani, in Gori Municipality, close to occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region for “illegally crossing the border” today. Ioseb Dvalishvili, who is the local of the village of Mejvriskhevi, was taken to Tskhinvali jail together with the other seven people who were detained late yesterday.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry is concerned by reports that the locals of the village of Akhalubani, in Gori Municipality, have been kidnapped near occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) yesterday. It, therefore, calls on the international community to take “effective measures to stop illegal activities of the occupation forces”.
Ambassadors of different countries to Georgia unanimously condemn the creeping occupation of Georgia by Russia and call on Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw troops from Georgia. The ambassadors of Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Israel, Brazil and Japan have visited the village of Gugutiantkari, Gori Municipality today to observe the illegal ‘borderisation’ Russian occupants have been carrying out since August 7.
Russian occupation forces have resumed the so-called border installation in the village of Gugutiantkari, Gori Municipality early this morning. Locals say the occupants have been intensively working for two days already, installing metal constructions and barbed wires.
Eight Georgian citizens who were detained near the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region for “illegally crossing the border” on August 17 and 18 have been released. The Georgian Interior Ministry official Vazha Siradze said all of them feel safe and will soon return to their families.
Russian occupation forces have resumed work on a so-called ‘border’ they have erected in the village of Gugutiantkari in Gori Municipality. They are currently fortifying the so-called border. Dozens of border posts have been erected by occupation forces since August 7, when the work first began.
Yet another Georgian citizen has been detained for illegally crossing the so-called border near occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region. The de facto security council of Tskhinvali region said Tsotne Kublashvili, who is a local of Gori Municipality, was detained on August 20.
The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said "borderisation" in the vicinity of the village of Gugutiantkari, in Gori Municipality, close to occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region "must stop immediately".
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze said the Russian occupation is “the most harmful challenge” for Georgia, therefore, this issue should unite every Georgian citizen, despite their political preferences. Mamuka Bakhtadze responded to journalists’ questions in the Georgian Black Seaside town of Batumi on August 21.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has invited foreign diplomats to discuss the tense situation near the occupation line with the Russia-occupied Tskhinvali region, in Khashuri Municipality. The diplomats have convened in the foreign ministry as the 95th session of Incidents Prevention and Response Mechanism (IRPM) in Russia-occupied Ergneti village, attended by Georgian, Russian and so-called Ossetian government members fell apart today.
The European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) said today’s Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting “was marked by a series of intense exchanges on the topic of Tsnelisi between participants”.
Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri has met with EUMM mission head to Georgia Erik Hoeg, a Danish diplomat who has ended his chairmanship in EUMM Georgia.
Erik Hoeg, a senior Danish diplomat who has served as Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) to Georgia since December 2017, has ended his tenure. Prior to this, he was serving as Deputy Head of the EUMM Georgia since April 2015 and Acting Head of Mission since September 2017.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has welcomed the appointment of Marek Szczygiel as new head of the European Monitoring Mission (EUMM) to Georgia. Szczygiel, a long serving Polish diplomat, was officially appointed as the EUMM head earlier today.