So-called Tskhinvali court sentences illegally detained Georgian man to 3 years in prison

The illegal detention of Georgian citizens is a common issue near the occupation line. Detainees are usually released once their family pays a fine. Photo: IPN.

Agenda.ge, 02 Mar 2021 - 19:51, Tbilisi,Georgia

Genadi Bestaev, illegally detained by the Russian occupation forces in November 2019 for 'illegally crossing the border and possession of drugs', has been sentenced to three years in prison by the so-called Tskhinvali court, reports the State Security Service of Georgia.

The 51-year-old Georgian citizen was detained in November 2019 near the village of Zardiantkari in Gori municipality.

Occupation forces said that Bestaev illegally crossed the border and had nine grams of marijuana on him.

The State Security Service(SSS) says that the occupation forces of the Russian Federation are fully responsible for the illegal detentions and that the issue will be discussed at the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting on March 5 and the Geneva International Discussions.

An official statement released by the SSS reads that illegal detentions are a serious consequence of the Russian occupation, which aims to put pressure on the central government and cause fear and insecurity among the locals.

Bestaev was illegally detained by the occupation forces several times on the same allegations in August, September and October in 2017.

The illegal detention of Georgian citizens is a common issue near the occupation line.

Detainees are usually released once their family pays a fine.

Read also: More than 900 Georgian citizens detained along occupation line in 8 years