Public Defender on 2008 war anniversary: Russian occupation “destructive” for affected population

Georgian Public Defender Levan Ioseliani on Wednesday marked an anniversary of the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia by saying Russia’s ongoing occupation of Georgian regions was “destructive” for the population living adjacent to the occupation lines.

Ioseliani visited villages of Goraka and Sakorintlo in central Georgia near the occupation line separating the Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region from the rest of the country on the 16th anniversary of the Russian aggression against Georgia and discussed  challenges of locals.

Unfortunately, on the 16th anniversary, we again have to talk about the occupation, which is “really destructive” for the people living here. Destructive in many ways, from security to their displacement”, Ioseliani noted, also noting lack of supply of irrigation water and entertainment spaces for local children.

The Public Defender also pointed out periodic escalations of the situation and highlighted the case of a Georgian citizen Tamaz Ginturi, killed by the occupation forces near St. George Lomisa shrine in territory adjacent to the village of Kirbali in central Georgia’s Gori municipality last year.