Occupation forces detain two Georgian citizens
The individuals have been detained for “illegally crossing the so-called border” by occupation forces. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Occupation forces have illegally detained two Georgian citizens at the village of Kodistskaro, Kaspi municipality, near the occupation line with Georgia’s Russian-controlled Tskhinvali region, the Georgian State Security Service has confirmed.
The agency said that the issue will be raised at today’s 7th extraordinary meeting in Ergneti.
Locals say that the men, both around 60 years old, were shepherding cattle on Tbilisi-administered territory and were kidnapped by occupation forces late yesterday.
Radio Liberty reports that the men have already been transported to a Tskhinvali prison.
The hot-line has been activated by the European Union Monitoring Mission and negotiations are in progress regarding the release of the illegally detained individuals, the media outlet said.
The illegal detention of Georgian citizens by Russian occupation forces near the occupation line is a common issue. Detainees are usually released after their families pay a fine.
The standard fine is 2,000 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.
EU Spokesperson Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Maja Kocijancic says that the rising tension along the occupation line with Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region “is completely unacceptable.” She stated that the EU calls on all actors “to show maximum restraint and refrain from any steps or statements that could escalate the situation”.
Tbilisi and the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) have strongly denied reports by the de facto government of Georgia's Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region regarding shooting at the occupation line. De facto security committee of Tskhinvali has stated earlier today that an “armed conflict” took place between the personnel of the Georgian Interior Ministry and the residents of the Koda village [Khashuri municipality, under Tbilisi control] on November 5.
The European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) offers its “sincere condolences” for the “unfortunate death” of Margo Martiashvili, who suffered a stroke in the Russian-controlled Akhalgori district yesterday.
De facto authorities of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region say that the tension at the villages of Chorchana and Tsnelisi will be eased only if and after Tbilisi removes a police post in Chocrhana, located on the territory which is under the control of the central Georgian government.
EUMM head to Georgia Erik Hoeg says that the 7th special meeting in Ergneti, which was dedicated to easing tension at the villages of Tsnelisi and Chorchana, has ended without substantial progress.The Georgian State Security Service has reported that the Russian-controlled de facto government of Tskhinvali still continues to demand the removal of an ordinary police post from the village of Chorchana, Khashuri municipality, which is located on the Tbilisi-controlled territory.
Famous Georgian doctor and traumatologist Vazha Gaprindashvili and three others have been illegally detained by Russian-controlled occupation forces, the Georgian State Security Service has confirmed.
Famous Georgian doctor and traumatologist Vazha Gaprindashvili, who was illegally detained by Russian-controlled occupation forces on Saturday, has been sent to two-month pretrial detention, Radio Liberty reports, citing Gaprindashvili’s wife Tamila Lapanashvili. A local media and a de facto security agency of Tskhinvali also read that "Tskhinvali court has ruled against Gaprindashvili" and sent him to pretrial detention.
Russian occupation forces have illegally detained a citizen of the village of Bershueti in the Gori municipality today. The Georgian State Security Service has confirmed detention of a Georgian woman.