FM Zalkaliani denounces disrespect for Georgian flag in Russian TV program
FM Zalkaliani denounced the disrespect for the Georgian national flag in Russia's state-owned TV program. Video grab from Russia-24
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Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs David Zalkaliani has denounced the disrespect for the Georgian national flag in Russian state-owned TV program, expressing his concerns to the Swiss Ambassador to Russia Krystyna Marty Lang, who paid an official visit to Georgia.
The program, which aired on Russian state-owned TV channel Russia-24 on November 9, showed the presenters standing on top of the Georgian national flag.
Zalkaliani thanked the Swiss side for mediating Georgia's relations with Russia. Photo: MFA press office
Zalkaliani asserted that Russian TV channel's 'provocative' step is a 'proof of Russia's destructive policy directed against the sovereignty, freedom and statehood of Georgia.'
By taking such steps, the Russian Federation has completely disregarded the fundamental norms and principles of international law, he added.
Zalkaliani further discussed the humanitarian situation in Georgia's Russian-occupied territories, specifically in Gali and Akhalgori districts.
The FM raised the issue of illegally detained Georgian citizens, including Irakli Bebua, who was arrested in 2020 in Gali and sentenced to 9 years in prison for burning the flag of de facto Abkhazia
Zalkaliani emphasized the issue of illegal borderization process, noting that free movement of citizens should be ensured.
The FM thanked the Swiss side for mediating Georgia's relations with the Russian Federation.
Switzerland has represented Georgia's interests in Russia through the Georgian Interests Section of the Embassy of Switzerland in Russia since 2009.
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.
The occupation forces have resumed illegal ‘borderisation’ activities along the Kareli municipality close to the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali.The State Security Service says that the illegal ‘borderisation’ in the villages of Takhtisdziri and Gvirgvina has been underway since 2013.
The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has dismissed Russian media reports claiming Belarus has started a procedure to recognise the independence of Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Tskhinvali), calling them 'disinformation.'
Russian occupation forces have illegally detained two Georgian citizens close to the village of Lopani in Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Tskhinvali. The State Security Service has meanwhile noted that the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) and other international partners have been informed and the hotline has been activated.
The Russian-controlled occupation forces have illegally arrested two Georgian citizens near de facto Tskhinvali, at the village of Tsinagara, the Georgian State Security Service has confirmed.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan says the illegal arrest of Georgian citizens by Russian occupation forces in the occupied territories is a matter of concern. Degnan noted that Russia must fulfil the Ceasefire Agreement of August 12, 2008 and stop illegal arrests.