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Occupation forces abduct 96-year-old Georgian man

The elderly man has been illegally detained several times over the past several years by Russian-controlled de facto authorities of Tskhinvali region. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

Agenda.ge, 16 Dec 2019 - 15:04, Tbilisi,Georgia

Russian-controlled occupation forces have abducted 96-year-old Gora Garibashvili while he was trying to reach a cemetery near the village of Tsunevi, close to the occupation line with breakaway Tskhinvali region, the Georgian Public Broadcaster reports.

The man has been illegally detained for “crossing the border” by de facto Tskhinvali authorities several times over the past several years, with the previous illegal detention taking place last year.

The family reported earlier that the cemetery where Garibashvili's ancestors are buried is now on territory controlled by the occupation forces, IPN reports.

Garibashvili is a local of the Kvemo Tchala village of Kaspi municipality.

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.

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, the Georgian State Security Service says.

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