Russian forces illegally detain three Georgian citizens near occupation line

Russian-controlled occupation forces have illegally arrested three Georgian citizens in the occupied territory adjacent to the villages of Zemo Artsevi and Otrevi in central Georgia’s Gori municipality, the State Security Service of Georgia said on Monday.

The Service said the latest incident took place adjacent to the territory of the Russian-occupied central Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).

The body noted it had activated the hotline operated by the European Union Monitoring mission for information exchange on developments along the occupation line. 

It also said it had informed Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions - a platform for talks on consequences of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war - and international partners about the incident.

“All existing mechanisms” have been activated to ensure the release of the illegally detained citizens “as soon as possible”, it added.