Georgian citizen illegally detained by occupation forces released after two months
Ramaz Begheluri was illegally detained by the Russian-controlled occupation forces near Tskhinvali region in February 2021. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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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 agency said that the man was released thanks to the efforts of the Georgian government and the country’s international partners.
Begheluri was abducted from the village of Gugutiantkari in Gori municipality, central Georgia, near the country’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region.
The illegal detention of Georgian citizens by Russian occupation forces near the occupation line is a common issue. Detainees are usually released after their families pay a fine.
However, there have been several cases when Georgian citizens died in unclear circumstances while in Tskhinvali prison or were murdered there.
The standard fine is 2,000 Russian rubles (about €28 / $31 USD).
Russia recognised the Georgian regions of Tskhinvali and Abkhazia as independent states in the wake of the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.
Since then only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria have recognised the regions as independent states.
The rest of the international community is unanimous that the regions are an integral part of Georgia.
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.
Tamar Gigauri, 60, who received heavy injuries after falling into a well of seven meters deep in Georgia’s Russian-controlled Akhalgori district in early November of 2019 has only today been allowed to leave the district to receive necessary treatment on the Tbilisi-administered territory.
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.
915 individuals have been illegally detained for allegedly crossing the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) between Georgia and its breakaway Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) since 2010.
Rescuers have found a body of a fourth individual who was trying to cross onto territory controlled by the central government of Georgia from Russian-occupied Gali through the Enguri River. The body was found on the banks of the river Enguri, in the village of Orsantia of Zugdidi Municipality.
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.’
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.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday commended the “crucial role” of the Georgian State Security Service agency in ensuring stability and security in the country and “strengthening Georgia”, in remarks for the seventh anniversary of the body.