Occupation forces illegally arrest four Georgian citizens in Gori municipality
The illegal arrest of Georgian citizens is a common issue near the occupation line, and the detainees are usually released after their families pay a fine. However, there have been several cases of Georgian citizens dying while in arrest. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Tweet 
Share
Russian occupation forces have illegally arrested four Georgian citizens near the village of Adzvi in Gori municipality.
The State Security Service (SSS) of Georgia reported that the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) and co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) have been informed about the case.
The central government of Georgia is using all available mechanisms for the immediate release of Georgian citizens illegally arrested by Russian occupation forces,” the SSS said.
The illegal arrest of Georgian citizens is a common issue near the occupation line, and the detainees are usually released after their families pay a fine. However, there have been several cases of Georgian citizens dying while in arrest.
Russia recognised the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent states in the wake of the Russo-Georgian war in 2008.
Only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria have taken the same step of recognition so far.
The rest of the international community asserts that Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions are occupied by Russia and urges the country to withdraw its troops from Georgian territory.
Seven illegally arrested Georgian citizens remain in de facto Tskhinvali prison, the Democracy Research Institute NGO reports. The DRI reports that the arrest of Georgian citizens on charges of ‘illegal border crossing’ without any legal basis has become more frequent as a consequence of active ‘borderisation’. The Georgian authorities do not have a clear public position on the issue.
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.
Russian occupation forces have illegally detained three citizens of Georgia near the village of Khurcha in Zugdidi Municipality, on territory controlled by the central government of Georgia, on January 18 at about 20:30, announces the State Security Service of Georgia. The State Security Service of Georgia has activated the hotline and demanded the immediate release of the illegally detained individuals.
The occupying forces in the two Russia-controlled Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) have detained 327 Georgian citizens for “illegally crossing the border” between 2017 and 2019, the Georgian State Security Service says. The agency reports that 242 of 327 were detained for “illegally crossing the border” between Georgia and its eastern occupied Tskhinvali region.
A total of seven Georgian citizens remain illegally imprisoned by the Russian occupation forces as of December 24, Georgian State Security Service (SSS) representative Giorgi Sabedashvili reported.
Four Georgian citizens illegally detained by Russian occupation forces near the village of Adzvi in Gori municipality have been released. Russian occupation forces illegally arrested the Georgian citizens yesterday on December 23.
Russian occupation forces have illegally arrested two Georgian citizens near the village of Lopani in Khashuri municipality, the State Security Service (SSS) of Georgia reported today.
Russian occupation forces illegally arrested Georgian citizen Giorgi Kujoshvili near the central Georgia’s occupied village of Adzvistavi on Tuesday, the Georgian State Security Service (SSS) confirmed earlier today.