US, UNDP alarmed by shooting, illegal detention of Georgian man by Russian-led occupation forces
Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze was wounded and illegally detained by occupation forces on the weekend. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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The US and UNDP representation to Georgia say that they are ‘concerned and alarmed’ by the shooting and illegal detention of Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze, 33, by the Russian-controlled occupation forces on July 11.
We condemn this shooting and detention – another escalation in a series of provocative actions taken by Russian-led forces in recent weeks. Such a dangerous and unwarranted incident would not have occurred if Russia had fulfilled its commitments under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, including withdrawing its forces to pre-conflict positions and allowing unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance,” said the US Embassy.
Louisa Vinton, head of UNDP Georgia, says that ‘unfortunately, such incidents (illegal detention) have increased over the past several months,’ expressing hope that the incidents will be investigated shortly.
Protection of human rights and the freedom of movement are essential,” Vinton told the media earlier today.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry says that this is an ‘another dangerous provocation by Russia, aimed at escalating and destabilising the situation on the ground during the COVID-19 pandemic.’
The ministry demanded the ‘immediate handover’ of Gakheladze.
The Georgian State Security Service says that Gakheladze, a resident of the village of Kvemo Chala in Kaspi Municipality (central Georgia) was shot (in the leg) and illegally detained near the Skhvilo fortress of Kaspi Municipality.
The fact represents a dangerous precedent. It has been once again confirmed that a dangerous practice of illegal detentions creates ground for grave incidents and escalation of the situation,” said the State Security Service.
The European Union Monitoring Mission has also responded to the incident:
Public Defender Nino Lomjaria has urged international organisations to take action for the release of Gakhelidze.
The de facto authorities of Tskhinvali alleged Gakheladze had crossed the ‘state border’ and opened fire on ‘border protection staff’ after an appearance of the latter on the scene. The de facto government claims that Gakheladze was injured in the return fire.
- 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. However, several Georgian citizens were murdered while in illegal detention.
- 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.
A European Union Monitoring Mission release on Sunday confirmed "extensive use" of the mission's hotline regarding the detention and alleged shooting of a Georgian citizen by de-facto authorities of the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region on Saturday.
A Georgian man arrested by occupation forces near the administrative line bordering the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region earlier this month has been placed under quarantine.
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.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia has "categorically condemned" the shooting and arrest of a Georgian citizen near the administrative line dividing the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region from the Georgian-controlled territory on Saturday, demanding the injured person be returned by the de-facto authorities.
Tbilisi has demanded the resumption of Ergneti Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meetings amid the shooting and illegal detention of Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze by the de facto authorities of the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region on July 11.
The US Department of States has strongly condemned the shooting and illegal detention of Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze, 33, by the Russian-controlled occupation forces on July 11.
'Gov't should make EU monitoring mission more active'
The president of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili has responded to the shooting and illegal detention of Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze, 33, by Russian-controlled occupation forces on July 11 and said that the only thing the government can do is to use the role of the EU monitoring mission.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has condemned the shooting and illegal detention of Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze by Russian-led occupation forces on July 11, stating that Russia ‘systematically violates the international law and is a threat to regional peace and stability.’
All tools of the Georgian government as well as its international partners are involved in efforts to return the citizen shot and arrested by occupation forces last week, prime minister Giorgi Gakharia told local media on Saturday.
US State Secretary Mike Pompeo and Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia have spoken on the phone and discussed a range of issues, including the October parliamentary elections, Georgia’s ‘effective response’ to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s redoubled occupation efforts during the pandemic.The phone conversation yesterday was held due to the postponement of the US-Georgia Strategic Partnership charter session due to the pandemic, with the officials expressing hope the session will take place by the end of the year.
A Georgian citizen has been illegally detained close to the Russia-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali. The State Security Service has announced that the individual was detained in the vicinity of the Zardiantkari village of Gori municipality yesterday.
Zaza Gakheladze, 33, who was shot and then illegally detained by the Russian-controlled occupation forces on July 11, 2020, has received an additional two more months in illegal pretrial detention in Tskhinvali region.
The de facto Foreign Ministry of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region has accused Tbilisi and the international community of interfering ‘in its internal issues’ for condemning the recent illegal conviction of Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze by occupation forces.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated earlier today that the Georgian government, with the country’s strategic partners, will take concrete steps in the coming days to secure the release of illegally detained and convicted Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze by Russian-controlled occupation forces. “I have had constant communication and negotiations with our strategic partners and in the coming days we will take concrete steps to help our citizen,” Gakharia said.