Georgian female citizen released from illegal, several months-long detention in occupied Tskhinvali

Georgian citizen Apajad Magaramova, who was illegally detained by Russian-controlled occupation forces several months ago, has been released earlier today, Radio Liberty has cited the Georgian State Security Service as saying.

Magaramova was detained for ‘illegally crossing the border’ near the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region in central Georgia. 

She will return to her family after spending two weeks in the quarantine zone. 

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 €25 / $28).

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.