28-year-old Georgian citizen illegally detained by occupation forces released

A 28-year-old Georgian citizen, Zakaria Butkhuzi, who was detained by occupation forces earlier this week, has been released, the Georgian State Security Service reports.

Butkhuzi was illegally detained by occupation forces near Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region “for illegally crossing the border.”

He was detained near the village of Kveshi in Gori Municipality, close to the occupation line. 

His father said the young man was located on their plot of land when he was detained. 

• 327 detained illegally by occupying forces in Georgia between 2017-19

The illegal detention of Georgian citizens by Russian occupation forces near the occupation line is a common issue. Detainees are usually released after their family pays a fine.

The standard fine is 2000 Russian rubles (about €28 / $31 USD).

Russia recognised the Georgian regions of Tskhinvali and Abkhazia as independent states in the wake of the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.