Russian forces illegally detain Georgian citizen near occupation line

Russian-controlled occupation forces have illegally arrested a Georgian citizen in the occupied territory adjacent to the village of Zemo Artsevi in central Georgia’s Gori municipality, the State Security Service of Georgia said on Thursday.

The Service said 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.