Occupied Tskhinvali closes Karzmani crossing point on New Year holidays
Tskhinvali media reported that the crossing point will be closed from 8 p.m. December 30 till 6 a.m. January 3 due to “security measures”. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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The de facto security committee of the Russia-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) announced the temporary closure of its Karzmani crossing point connecting the occupied region with the rest of Georgia.
Tskhinvali media reported that the crossing point will be closed from 8 p.m. December 30 till 6 a.m. January 3 due to “security measures”.
Tskhinvali closed two other crossing points earlier in September, citing "escalation of tension at certain sections of the border with Georgia" as the reason.
Georgian and foreign officials have been calling on de facto Tskhinvali authorities to reopen all of the crossing points as soon as possible to avoid humanitarian crisis on the ground.
"It is of our deepest concern that the so-called crossing points along the occupation line with the Tskhinvali region have been closed, which results in the total isolation of the population residing in the occupied territories and creates a threat of a humanitarian crisis on the ground,” Georgian Foreign Ministry stated.
The de facto Tskhinvali government has announced the closure of two crossing points with the rest of Georgia, saying the reason is an ‘escalation of tension at certain sections of the border with Georgia.’The so-called security committee of Tskhinvali has accused Tbilisi of sparking the tension, stating that the crossing points will reopen when the tension fades.
The Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) Erik Hoeg said the recent decision of de facto Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) officials to close the so-called border with the rest of Georgia is “negatively affecting local communities” on both sides of the occupation line.
Locals of the Russian occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) cannot use the crossing-point between the breakaway region and the rest of Georgia for a couple of days.
State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said restrictions on the freedom of movement in occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) should be lifted. Minister Tsikhelashvili said earlier today that the closure of crossing points connecting the occupied region with the rest of Georgia holds peaceful population hostage.