Georgian citizen illegally detained near occupied Tskhinvali
Ramaz Begheluri, 36, was previously detained in occupied Tskhinvali last year. Photo: Goga Aptsiauri/RFERL
Tweet 
Share
Occupying forces illegally detained a Georgian citizen from the vicinity of the village of Gugutiantkari, in Gori Municipality close to occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region yesterday, the State Security Service of Georgia has announced.
Illegal detentions seriously affect the security environment along the occupation line, as well as on the occupied territories and deteriorate the everyday lives of the local population”, the State Security Service said.
The State Security Service has also added that ‘active work is underway’ to immediately release the illegally detained person.
The European Union Monitoring Mission has been informed and its hotline has been activated.
The Russian occupation forces erected so-called ‘border’ in the village of Gugutiantkari in Gori Municipality in 2019. Photo: Georgian Foreign Ministry Archive
The Georgian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported that Ramaz Begheluri, 36, left home on the eve of February 2 and did not return home at night.
His father says Ramaz has been detained by the occupying forces for the second time now. He was previously detained last year, but was eventually released after paying a fine.
The State Security Service of Georgia reported today that the occupation forces have erected illegal installations in the village of Gugutiantkari in Gori Municipality in the region of Shida Kartli, close to the Russia-occupied Tskhinvali region.
Russian occupation forces have resumed work on a so-called ‘border’ they have erected in the village of Gugutiantkari in Gori Municipality. They are currently fortifying the so-called border. Dozens of border posts have been erected by occupation forces since August 7, when the work first began.
“The erection of fences by de-facto authorities of South Ossetia backed by Russian border guards in the vicinity of Gugutiantkari village hinders freedom of movement and will deprive people from the local area from accessing orchards and water resources”, the European Union Delegation to Georgia stated.
The Russian occupation forces have returned to the village of Gugutiantkari in Gori Municipality and continue to erect a so-called ‘border’ started on August 7. Gori Municipality Mayor Konstantine Tavzarashvili visited the area and stated all state agencies are working to stop the illegal ‘borderisation’ process.
Georgian citizen Erik Drulev, illegally detained in the Russian-occupied region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) earlier this week, has been released from prison. The State Security Service of Georgia has announced earlier today that Drulev, 20, was detained by the occupying forces close to the Roki tunnel on February 5.