65-year-old man from occupied Abkhazia dies trying to enter Tbilisi-controlled territory to receive pension
It has been nearly half a year since locals of Gali district have been deprived of basic rights, including quality medical aid. Also, they are not able to receive pensions or IDP benefits. Photo: IPN.
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A 65-year-old man from Russian-occupied Abkhazia has been found dead by locals in the Enguri River.
Municipal head Elguja Bokuchava said the man was trying to cross to Tbilisi-controlled territory to receive his pension.
The man was a resident of the Gali district of Russia-occupied Abkhazia, on.ge writes.
An investigation has been launched.
Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia region has been completely closed since February 27, when the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in Georgia. Since then the residents of Gali district say they are experiencing a humanitarian crisis.
It has been nearly half a year since locals of Gali district have been deprived of basic rights, including quality medical aid. Also, they are not able to receive pensions or IDP benefits.
The reason is that locals of Gali used to receive money in Zugdidi or elsewhere on Tbilisi-controlled territory, but now the borders have been closed at the Enguri Bridge crossing point by the Sukhumi de-facto government amid the coronavirus.
State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia Ketevan Tsikhelashvili has urged the residents of the Russia-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions to follow recommendations of the World Health Organization, saying that the Georgian government is ready help them prevent the spread of COVID-19 if the need arises.
The Russian controlled Abkhazia region has announced it is barring entry 'to all foreigners except Russians', including the only crossing point connecting the region with the rest of Georgia because of the new, China-born coronavirus.
De facto authorities of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region has temporarily opened the crossing point between occupied Akhalgori district and the rest of Georgia for pensioners only after an almost five-month closure, which has created a severe humanitarian situation on the ground. Local civic activist Tamar Mearakishvili reports that the crossing point opened earlier today for pensioners “whose only income is the pension issued by the central government” of Georgia.
Residents of Gali in occupied Abkhazia have not received IDP benefits and pensions for four months, said Chairman of the Supreme Council of Abkhazia Jemal Gamakharia.
Abkhaz Orthodox Church has refused to accept an icon donated by Irma Inashvili, the leader of the Georgian opposition Alliance of Patriots party.
Lasha Sakania, the ‘advisor’ to the de facto leader of the Russia-occuied Abkhazia region of Georgia, has resigned amid controversies over his recent meeting with the opposition party the Alliance of Patriots of Georgia.
Medical Director of Tbilisi Infectious Disease Hospital Marina Ezugbaia said that three out of the seven people had contact with infected individuals, two cases are ‘imported’ while the source of infection of two others is yet unknown.
A man from Georgia’s Russia-occupied Abkhazia has died after crossing the Enguri River to enter Tbilisi-controlled territory to meet with a family member, reports RFE/RL.
“The tragic incident near the occupation line once again shows the real face of the Russian occupation… This is a great human tragedy for which the Russian Federation is held fully responsible”, said Georgian Reconciliation Minister Tea Akhvlediani while expressing her condolences over the tragic death of the three Georgian citizens.
Police have detained six individuals during clashes which occurred between activists and law enforcers in front of the ‘Supreme Council of Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia’ earlier today.
The Russian occupation regime has banned movement from Georgia’s occupied Abkhazia region to Tbilisi-controlled territory on October 2, reports the Georgian State Security Service (SSS).
Russian occupation forces have illegally arrested Georgian citizen Kristine Takalandze in the occupied Abkhazia region, the Georgian State Security Service confirmed on Monday.