The News in Brief
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Sky News: Despite Sanctions, Luxury Cars Enter Russia via South Caucasus, Including Georgia
Despite Western sanctions imposed on Russia, high-end cars from Europe are still making their way into the country, with routes passing through South Caucasus nations, including Georgia, according to a recent investigative report by British channel Sky News.
A Sky News journalist observed the customs checkpoint at Lars, a key border crossing between Georgia and Russia, where luxury cars imported from Europe were spotted. The investigation revealed that one method for bypassing sanctions is by registering and clearing customs for these vehicles in Armenia. In some cases, car transporters are advised to claim they are not heading to Russia, but to Kyrgyzstan via Russia, as a way to mislead authorities.
"After European countries imposed sanctions, Georgia introduced its own bans on sending cars to Russia. However, there are many ways to avoid it, which makes it possible to transport cars," Sky News reported.
The investigative piece highlighted the ease with which this trade continues. While UK car manufacturers and authorities claim they are making efforts to halt these unofficial trade routes, Sky News emphasized the apparent lack of concealment in Georgia. "Perhaps the most striking result of our investigation is that nobody in Georgia is trying to hide what is going on. Everyone knows that these high-end European cars are not supposed to enter Russia, but they cross the border one by one every day. Everyone knows what is happening, but no one is doing anything to stop it," the report stated.
Georgian Citizen Illegally Detained by Russian Occupation Forces near Artsevi
On September 24, the Georgian State Security Service (SSSG) reported that a Georgian citizen had been illegally detained by Russian occupation forces near the occupied village of Artsevi, close to Tskhinvali.
In response, the SSSG immediately activated the EU Monitoring Mission's "hot line" and informed the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) as well as international partners about the incident.
The SSSG stated that all available mechanisms are being utilized to secure the swift release of the detained Georgian citizen. "The responsibility for all destructive acts committed in the occupied territories of Georgia, as well as along the occupation line, lies with the occupying power," the SSSG emphasized.
Sky News: Despite Sanctions, Luxury Cars Enter Russia via South Caucasus, Including Georgia
A Sky News journalist observed the customs checkpoint at Lars, a key border crossing between Georgia and Russia, where luxury cars imported from Europe were spotted. The investigation revealed that one method for bypassing sanctions is by registering and clearing customs for these vehicles in Armenia. In some cases, car transporters are advised to claim they are not heading to Russia, but to Kyrgyzstan via Russia, as a way to mislead authorities.
"After European countries imposed sanctions, Georgia introduced its own bans on sending cars to Russia. However, there are many ways to avoid it, which makes it possible to transport cars," Sky News reported.
The investigative piece highlighted the ease with which this trade continues. While UK car manufacturers and authorities claim they are making efforts to halt these unofficial trade routes, Sky News emphasized the apparent lack of concealment in Georgia. "Perhaps the most striking result of our investigation is that nobody in Georgia is trying to hide what is going on. Everyone knows that these high-end European cars are not supposed to enter Russia, but they cross the border one by one every day. Everyone knows what is happening, but no one is doing anything to stop it," the report stated.
Georgian Citizen Illegally Detained by Russian Occupation Forces near Artsevi
In response, the SSSG immediately activated the EU Monitoring Mission's "hot line" and informed the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) as well as international partners about the incident.
The SSSG stated that all available mechanisms are being utilized to secure the swift release of the detained Georgian citizen. "The responsibility for all destructive acts committed in the occupied territories of Georgia, as well as along the occupation line, lies with the occupying power," the SSSG emphasized.