Georgian Foreign Ministry: Russia violated the August 2008 agreement by opening fire today
By Nika Gamtsemlidze
Monday, July 13
Representatives of the European Union Monitoring Mission are present in the village of Kvemo Chala, near the dividing line in Kaspi Municipality. The mission monitors were also present near the dividing line, near Skhvilo prison, in the area where Zaza Gakheladze was detained, as well as family members of the detainee.
According to the representative of the Mayor of Kaspi Municipality Stefane Mesropashvili, the arrested Gakheladze, was taken from the Akhalgori Hospital to Tskhinvali with a gunshot wound.
The 33-year-old man was detained by the occupying forces near the dividing line two days ago. Lanter, It became known that during the arrest the so-called guards opened fire, as a result of which Gakheladze was wounded in the leg.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia condemns the wounding and illegal detention of a Georgian citizen in the Kaspi municipality by the Russian occupation forces. The agency calls this fact a dangerous act and notes that the aim is to escalate the situation during the pandemic and destabilize it.
“The opening fire by the occupation forces on local civilians is another example of the Russian Federation's gross violation of the EU-backed ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008,” the statement read.
The Foreign Ministry explains that such a provocation by the Russian occupation forces once again confirms the need to establish international security mechanisms in the occupied regions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs appeals to the international community to give a strong assessment to the illegal actions of the occupation forces and to take immediate measures to prevent provocations against the Georgian state.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically demands the immediate extradition of a wounded and illegally detained Georgian citizen to the Georgian side.
Sadly, this is not the first case that a citizen of Georgia was detained by the occupation forces. However, the situation is getting worse every day. Just a few months ago, Georgian doctor was detained by the Russian forces and was kept in custody for several months and was released as a result of pressure from the international partners of Georgia.
The creeping occupation has been ongoing ever since the August War of 2008 and has been severely affecting people living near the occupation line.
