Occupation forces illegally arrest two Georgian citizens in Dusheti municipality

Russian occupation forces have illegally arrested two Georgian citizens near Gremiskhevi village in Dusheti municipality, the Georgian State Security Service reported earlier this evening.

The State Security Service has informed the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) about the case.

The occupation forces of the Russian federation are fully responsible for the destructive actions carried out in the occupied regions and across the occupation line. The malpractice of illegal arrests considerably exacerbates safety on the spot and poses a threat to the region's stability, the State Security Service noted.

• Seven Georgian citizens remain in illegal custody in Russian-occupied Tskhinvali

The illegal detention of Georgian citizens is a common issue near the occupation line, and the detainees 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 of recognition so far.

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