‘Borderisation’, release of illegally arrested Georgian citizens in focus of IPRM meeting

The illegal “borderisation” process carried out by occupation forces along the administrative boundary line between Georgia’s occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region and the rest of the country, illegal detentions of Georgian citizens and their release will be discussed at the 108th meeting of the region’s de facto authorities and Georgian officials on Friday.

Irakli Antadze, the deputy director of the information security analytical department of Georgia’s state security service, said the next meeting of the incident prevention and response mechanism platform would be hosted in Ergneti village near the occupation line to address concerns including the five Georgian citizens in illegal custody in the Russian-occupied region.

“All significant incidents along the occupation line will be in focus of the meeting, related to the incidents of illegal ‘borderisation’ that have taken place after the 107th IPRM meeting in the municipalities of Kartli and Gori”, Antadze said.

‘Borderisation’ does not only mean new barbed wire fences [erected by occupation forces along the administrative line]. It also includes updates made to previously existing fences and installation of barriers that restrict free movement”, he added.

The official also said while discussing circumstances around the detained citizens Mamuka Chkhikvadze, Lasha Khetereli, Kakhaber Natadze, Nukri Kalashnikov and Gela Iobashvili, the Georgian side at the meeting would try to find out “additional details” about Iobashvili, who was illegally arrested by occupation forces on September 14.