EUMM: occupation forces fired into air during Mission patrol in central Georgia
The EUMM official on Tuesday told the media the Mission would make a further comment once circumstances were “fully clarified”. Photo: EUMM Georgia
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The European Union Monitoring Mission on Tuesday said Russian troops had fired several shots into the air during the latest of the Mission’s regular patrols near the occupation line separating the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) from the rest of Georgia in the central Georgian village of Mejvriskhevi earlier this week.
The Mission, present to observe developments along the occupation line since the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia, told local media its observers had acted in accordance with regulations and left the site to prevent any complications following the incident, and added they would make a further comment once circumstances were “fully clarified”.
Irakli Antadze, the Deputy Head of the of the Analytical Department of the Georgian State Security Service, said the incident had been raised at the latest meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism - a platform facilitating talks between the Georgian Government and de facto authorities of the occupied region - on Tuesday.
The 110th IPRM meeting just finished. The co-facilitators highlighted the need for continuing such dialogue format focused on solving practical issues to the benefit of populations living along the ABL. Next meeting was agreed for 2 March 2023.
— EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (@EUMMGeorgia) January 17, 2023
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He also pointed out the observers would be providing additional details on the matter in the coming days, and noted the incident was “not the first time” the occupation forces had “acted in this manner” towards the observers.
Antadze said the Mission was proceeding with its efforts to ensure peace on the ground despite the incidents, and thanked the EUMM representation for its work.
Among other topics raised at the IPRM meeting was the ongoing illegal detention of seven Georgian citizens - including Soso Dvalishvili, who was illegally arrested on Monday - in Tskhinvali.
The Security Service official said the Georgian Government had demanded an “immediate release” of the individuals, as well as suspension of installation of illegal barriers along the administrative boundary line by occupation forces.
The next IPRM meeting has been scheduled for March 2.