Russian occupation forces illegally detain 3 Georgian citizens in Gori municipality

Russian occupation forces have illegally detained three Georgian citizens in the village of Mejvriskhevi in central Georgia’s Gori municipality, near the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region, the Georgian state security service confirmed on Tuesday.

The state body said it had activated the hotline operated for information exchange on developments along the occupation line, and informed the European Union monitoring mission and co-chairs of the Geneva international discussions about the incident.

The SSS also noted it had activated “all the available” mechanisms for the release of the illegally detained citizens “in the shortest possible time”.

Harmful practice of illegal detentions restricts the fundamental right to free movement, significantly worsens the security environment and threatens stability in the region”, the service said.

The state body stressed the occupation forces have been responsible for the “destructive actions” committed in Georgia's occupied territories, as well as in the vicinity of the occupation line.