State Security Service report 2020: ‘Russian occupation of Tskhinvali, Abkhazia regions was main challenge for Georgia in 2020’
Russian occupation of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and Abkhazia regions was the main threat and challenge for Georgia in 2020, the 2020 report of the Georgian State Security Service reads. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Russian occupation of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and Abkhazia regions was the main threat and challenge for Georgia in 2020, the 2020 report of the Georgian State Security Service reads.
Russian occupation forces detained 77 Georgian citizens for “illegally crossing borders” in 2020. Illegally detained Georgian citizens Zaza Gakheladze and Irakli Bebua were sentenced to several years in prison. The occupation regime used a particularly unfair and inhumane approach towards these individuals”, the report reads.
The report also reads that the issue of immediate and unconditional release of Georgian citizens was raised at the Geneva International Discussions and International Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting. Also, the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM)-managed Hotline was actively used as an effective tool to address specific issues, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
Zaza Gakheladze, who was shot and illegally detained by Russian-controlled occupation forces last year, was sentenced to 12 years and six months earlier in February 2021.
Gakheladze was detained near the administration line dividing the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region from Tbilisi-controlled territory in July 2020.
The occupation authorities alleged Gakheladze crossed the “state border” and opened fire on “border protection staff” after the appearance of the latter on the scene.
Irakli Bebua, an ethnic Georgian man living in Gali district of Georgia’s Russia-occupied Abkhazia region was sentenced to nine years in prison for burning the flag of Abkhazia and the possession of firearms.
Bebua was detained at the end of September 2020 after burning the flag of the de facto Abkhazia region. Later, the de facto authorities stated that they had also found a hand grenade in Bebua’s house.
Bebua set an Abkhaz flag on fire while the region was celebrating its ‘Victory Day and the Day of Independence’ on September 30.
He stated in a video released later that he burnt the flag as he wanted Georgians and Abkhaz to live together and be friendly as earlier.
The international community condemns the sentencing of Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze in the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), calling for his immediate release. Meanwhile a protest rally was held today held along the occupation line with the participants calling on the Georgian government to make more efficient steps aimed to ensure immediate release of the illegal detainee.
The European Union calls for the immediate release of Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze, who was sentenced to 12 years and six months in the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region yesterday. The United States Embassy also expresses solidarity with Zaza Gakheladze and his family, and all families ‘who have had to endure Russia’s oppressive occupation’.
After six months of pre-trial detention, the so-called trial of illegally detained Zaza Gakheladze was held today in Russia-occupied Tskhinvali region. RFE/RL reports that several witnesses and Gakheladze were questioned at the hearing.
Irakli Bebua, an ethnic Georgian man living in the Gali district of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia region, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for burning the flag of Abkhazia and the possession of firearms.
Russian occupation forces have installed wooden poles between the villages of Takhtisdziri and Dirbi in the Kareli municipality of Georgia. The wooden poles are installed along 500 meters.
The Georgian government has established a commission to create a Georgian State Strategy for Deoccupation and Peaceful Conflict Resolution. The commission will be managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The commission will be set up with public involvement, and will develop an inclusive and comprehensive state strategy by the end of the year.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry has responded to Moscow’s calls on Tbilisi and the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) to delimit the so-called border and called it ‘completely unacceptable,’ noting that ‘the only solution to the issue is ending the occupation of Georgian territories.’
“Georgia has to complete the delimitation and demarcation of the border with Russia, and this, of course, will take place within the borders of united Georgia”, said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili while responding to Moscow’s statement regarding an initiative to delimit borders between Georgia and the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali.