Ukraine condemns shooting, illegal detention of Georgian citizen by Russian-led occupation forces

Ukraine says that Russia is systematically violating international law. Photo:Ukrainian MFA.

Agenda.ge, 16 Jul 2020 - 13:24, Tbilisi,Georgia

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has condemned the shooting and illegal detention of Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze by Russian-led occupation forces on July 11, stating that Russia ‘systematically violates the international law and is a threat to regional peace and stability.’ 

The statement says that ‘‘such provocative actions by the Russian occupation regime’ are a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement of August 12, 2008 with Georgia and aimed at destabilising the security situation in the region.

By carrying out practices of detentions, abductions, torture and killings, Russia continues systematically and unprecedentedly to violate the norms of international humanitarian law,” said the Ukrainian MFA. 

The statement reaffirmed Ukraine’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders and demanded that Russia ‘cease its destabilising actions against the Georgian civilian population.’ 

The de facto leadership of the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region refuses to release Gakheladze, who was shot in the leg, from illegal detention.