State Security Service: illegal detention of Georgian citizens by occupation forces is a common issue since 2008
The Russian-controooled occupation forces illegally detained 64 Georgian citizens in 2020. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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The Georgian State Security Service says that illegal detention of Georgian citizens by the Russian-controlled occupation forces for so-called ‘illegally crossing the border’ is a common issue since Russia-Georgia 2008.
Since 2008, every year, the Russian-controlled occupation forces have detained Georgian citizens illegally,” the agency stated earlier today.
The State Security Service said that last year occupation forces illegally detained 64 Georgian citizens.
The data of previous years are as follows:
- 2009-2010 - 80 Georgian citizens were illegally detained.
- 2011 - 140 Georgian citizens.
- 2012 - 110 Georgian citizens.
- 2019 - 86 Georgian citizens.
- 327 detained illegally by occupying forces in Georgia between 2017-19
Russia redoubled its occupation efforts during the pandemic. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
The agency said that the rallies which are held at occupation rallies protesting the illegal detention of Georgian citizens ‘are legitimate’. However, they may be used by the occupation forces to spark tension and may pose threats to security and police personnel on the ground.
Any rally protesting the illegal detention of Georgian citizens which may pose threats to Georgian security infrastructure and police units at the crossing points are in the interests of the occupation forces,” said the agency.
The State Security Service said that the rally organisers ‘must consider’ the issues which are important for public and state security.
Illegally detained Georgian citizens are mostly released after their families pay a fine.
However, there have been several cases of Georgian citizens dying while in detention.
The standard fine is 2,000 Russian rubles ($27 USD).
Russia recognised the Georgian regions of Tskhinvali and Abkhazia as independent states in the wake of the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.
The de facto security agency of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region says that they have detected a US surveillance aircraft Global Hawk RQ-4B near ‘their border.’
One Georgian citizen has been detained, while another has been sent to illegal pretrial detention by the Russian-controlled de facto government of Tskhinvali, the Georgian State Security Service reports.
The United Kingdom and Norway have joined the calls of foreign states for the ‘immediate release’ of illegally convicted Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze by Russian-controlled occupation forces.
The international community condemns the sentencing of Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze in the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), calling for his immediate release. Meanwhile a protest rally was held today held along the occupation line with the participants calling on the Georgian government to make more efficient steps aimed to ensure immediate release of the illegal detainee.
United States Acting Deputy Chief of Mission to the OSCE Elisabeth Rosenstock-Siller said in her address to the Permanent Council on Thursday that the US condemns the recent sentencing of Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze in Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region.
Georgian citizen Ramaz Begheluri, who was illegally detained by Russian-controlled occupation forces for ‘illegally crossing the border’ near the Tskhinvali region on February 2, 2021 has been released earlier today, the Georgian State Security Service has reported.
The Georgian State Security Service says in its annual report of 2020 that there were several attempts by foreign intelligence services to ‘directly or indirectly interfere in Georgian internal issues.’
The de facto government of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region says that they detained 42 individuals at the occupation line last month, while the figure stood at 23 in March.
Georgian citizen Lasha Khetereli, who was illegally detained by the occupation forces close to the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) a year ago, has been released.
The Georgian State Security Service (SSS) has dismissed reports by opposition-minded Mtavari Arkhi TV that individuals linked with the Russian private military company, the Wagner Group, are in Georgia. The Wagner Group is one of the most well-known paramilitary companies founded in Russia in the last decade.It is believed to be controlled by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was once Putin's cook.
The de facto authorities of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region say that they detained 38 individuals last month for ‘illegally crossing the border’, while the figure stood at 19 in July. The de facto authorities stated that 22 of the 38 individuals were fined, while others were able to leave Tskhinvali territory without paying a fine.
Russian controlled occupation forces have illegally detained three Georgian citizens near the village of Ergneti, central Georgia, earlier today, the Georgian State Security Service has confirmed. Tskhinvali de facto authorities detained them for ‘illegally crossing the border.’One of the three individuals allegedly attempted to run when he received injuries.
Two Georgian citizens illegally detained by the occupation forces near the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali have been released. Goga Metreveli, Roman Gochashvili and Nikoloz Pekshvelashvili were detained on October 4. However, the latter was released yesterday amid the multiple injuries he received in his attempt to escape.
Russian occupation forces have illegally detained two Georgian citizens close to the village of Lopani in Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Tskhinvali. The State Security Service has meanwhile noted that the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) and other international partners have been informed and the hotline has been activated.
The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has dismissed Russian media reports claiming Belarus has started a procedure to recognise the independence of Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Tskhinvali), calling them 'disinformation.'
The Russian-controlled occupation forces have illegally arrested one Georgian citizen near de facto Tskhinvali, the Georgian State Security Service has confirmed.
Georgian citizen Malkhaz Janelidze who was illegally arrested by the Russian-controlled occupation forces on December 1 near the village of Vaneli in Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region was released late yesterday. Janelidze said following his release that he was travelling to Russia for work and treatment when he was detained.
The Russian-controlled occupation forces have illegally arrested two Georgian citizens near de facto Tskhinvali, at the village of Tsinagara, the Georgian State Security Service has confirmed.
Russian occupation forces have illegally arrested Georgian citizen Mamuka Chkhikvadze near Zemo Nikozi village in Gori municipality earlier today.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan says the illegal arrest of Georgian citizens by Russian occupation forces in the occupied territories is a matter of concern. Degnan noted that Russia must fulfil the Ceasefire Agreement of August 12, 2008 and stop illegal arrests.
Four Georgian citizens illegally detained by Russian occupation forces near the village of Adzvi in Gori municipality have been released. Russian occupation forces illegally arrested the Georgian citizens yesterday on December 23.
Georgian citizen Lasha Khetereli has been illegally arrested by occupation forces close to the Russia-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) for 'illegally crossing the border.' The State Security Service (SSS) of Georgia reported that the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) and the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) have been informed about the case.
The 104th meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism took place yesterday in Ergneti, under the co-facilitation of the Ambassador Marek Szczygiel, Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), and Ambassador Viorel Mosanu, newly appointed Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus.
Georgian citizen Vladimer Kaniashvili, who was illegally detained by Russian occupation forces near the occupied region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), was released on Tuesday, the State Security Service said.
Zaza Megrelishvili and Tamaz Gogichashvili, two Georgian citizens illegally detained near central Georgia’s Russian-occupied village of Lopani by occupation forces on December 15, 2021 were released on Friday, the State Security Service of Georgia said.
Georgian citizen Lasha Khetereli, who was illegally detained by de facto authorities of Georgia's Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region for “illegally crossing” the so-called “border” last year, was released on Tuesday, Georgia’s State Security Service said.