Russian forces illegally detain two Georgian citizens near occupation line

Russian-controlled occupation forces have illegally arrested two Georgian citizens in the occupied territory adjacent to the village of Ghromi in central Georgia’s Gori municipality and the Akhalgori district village of Balaani, the State Security Service of Georgia said on Wednesday.

The body said the incidents took place in the locality near the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region, and added it had responded 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 Georgian Government and de facto authorities in the occupied regions - about the incidents.

The Service added “all existing mechanisms” had been activated to ensure the release of the illegally detained citizens “as soon as possible”.