US Ambassador Degnan concerned over illegal arrest of Georgian citizens in Russia-occupied territories

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.

We [US] are always worried when Georgian citizens are arrested or harassed. It should be stopped for sure. This will happen when Russia fulfils the Ceasefire Agreement of August 12. Everyone expects Russia to fulfill the agreement. Only then can we talk about dialogue”, Degnan said.

Russian occupation forces illegally arrested Georgian citizen Mamuka Chkhikvadze near Zemo Nikozi village in Gori municipality on December 12, 2021.

• Occupation forces illegally arrest Georgian citizen in Gori municipality
• Occupation forces illegally arrest two Georgian citizens

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 occupation forces illegally arrested two other Georgian citizens near de facto Tskhinvali on December 10.

The illegal arrest of Georgian citizens is a common issue near the occupation line, and those arrested are usually released after their families pay a fine.

However, there have been several cases of Georgian citizens dying while in arrest.

Russia recognised the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent states in the wake of the Russo-Georgian war in 2008.

Only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria have taken the same step so far.

The rest of the international community asserts that the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions are occupied by Russia and urges the country to withdraw its troops from the Georgian territory.