Gov’t: Abduction of Georgian Woman by Russian-Controlled Forces Is a ‘Grave Case’
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Thursday, October 4
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze stated on Wednesday that the abduction of a Georgian woman, mother of three little kids Maia Otinashvili, by the Russian-controlled so-called border guards is a “grave case”, which once again speaks about the “continued aggression on the Georgian territory and harsh violation of fundamental human rights.”
Bakhtadze claimed that the government with its Reconciliation Ministry and the State Security Service, as well as with the support of the European Monitoring Mission, have been working non-stop to achieve the release of the 37-year-old woman, who was abducted from her garden on September 29 and has been sentenced to two-month pre-trial detention in the occupied Tskhinvali region.
“It is a very grave case and we have mobilized all the resources to achieve the release of the Georgian citizen in the shortest time,” Bakhtadze said.
The Russia-controlled Tskhinvali leadership claims that Otinashvili illegally crossed the “border” and she was aiding others “commit the illegally” on regular basis.
The de facto government also says that Otinashvili was taking money “for the service.”
The woman was abducted from the Khurvaleti village of the Gori municipality, which is located near the occupation line which separates Tskhinvali from the rest of Georgia.
Otinashvili’s family says that the woman was abducted from the Tbilisi-administered territory.
The Russia-controlled forces frequently abduct Georgian citizens and release them after paying a fine, which amounts to 30-32 USD.
Russia occupied Tskhinvali region during the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.
Another Georgian region occupied by Russians is Abkhazia, in western Georgia.
