Russian forces illegally detain two Georgian citizens near occupation line

Russian-controlled occupation forces illegally arrested two Georgian citizens in the occupied territory adjacent to the village of Dvani in the central Kareli Municipality, the State Security Service of Georgia said on Sunday.

The state body said it had responded to the latest incident by activating the hotline operated for information exchange on developments along the occupation line.

It also said it had informed the European Union Monitoring mission and Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions - a platform for talks between the Georgian Government and de facto authorities in the occupied regions - about the incident.

“All existing” mechanisms have been activated to ensure the release of the illegally detained citizens “in the shortest possible time”, the Service added. 

The occupation regime bears “full responsibility” for the “destructive actions” carried out in the regions and along the administrative line, the SSS stressed.