Georgian citizen wounded by occupation forces reportedly moved to Tskhinvali

The Georgian man wounded and arrested by occupation forces near the Kvemo Tchala village in central Georgia on Saturday has been reportedly moved from the town of Akhalgori to the occupied Tskhinvali.

Zaza Gakheladze, 33, who received injuries to his leg during his arrest by de-facto authorities in the village near the administrative boundary separating the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region from the Georgian-controller territory, remains in their custody.

Stepane Mesropashvili, the Mayor of Kaspi Municipality in central Georgia, told reporters European Union Monitoring Mission professionals had visited the location of Saturday's incident and met family members of Gakheladze.

In his comments about developments since the incident, Mesropashvili said his office had reports on the injured citizen having been moved from Akhalgori to Tskhinvali, the regional centre of the occupied province.

Beside being in touch with EUMM representatives, the arrested man's family has talked to the Red Cross, the mayor told local media.

Resident of the Kaspi Municipality village of Kvemo Tchala, Gakheladze was shot and then arrested around 9:30am local time on Saturday, with the de-facto Security Committee of South Ossetia releasing the information to family later.

The occupation authorities alleged Gakheladze had crossed the "state border" and opened fire on "border protection staff" after an appearance of the latter on the scene. The "committee" said the Georgian citizen had been injured in return fire from the "border" patrols.