Occupation forces illegally arrest Georgian citizen in Russian-occupied Abkhazia region

Russian occupation forces have illegally arrested Georgian citizen Kristine Takalandze in the occupied Abkhazia region, the Georgian State Security Service confirmed on Monday.

Following the arrest, the Security Service activated the European Union Monitoring Mission hotline. International partners, including the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions, have also been informed about the case.

The statement noted that the central government of Georgia was using “all available mechanisms” to ensure an immediate release of the illegally arrested individual.

Local Georgian media outlet Netgazeti on Tuesday said the de facto Security Service of Russian-occupied Abkhazia illegally  arrested Georgian citizen on July 20 and alleged Talakandze in delivering "state, military and other information protected by law" to the Georgian special services.

Netgazeti also said Takalandze was the resident of the Nabakevi village of the Russian-occupied Gali district.