Prepared by Messenger Staff
De Facto Foreign Minister of Abkhazia Urges Repeal of Georgia's Occupation Law
Oleg Bartsits, the newly appointed de facto foreign minister of Abkhazia, has stated that Georgia must demonstrate concrete actions if it seeks to improve relations with Abkhazia, the Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia), and Russia. Among the steps he proposed are repealing the Georgian Law on Occupied Territories and signing an agreement on the non-use of military force.
In an interview with Russian state-controlled outlet TASS, Bartsits said: "The Georgian authorities' statements that they want to improve relations with their main neighbors - Abkhazia, South Ossetia and the Russian Federation - do not go unnoticed by us, but at the same time, practical confirmations and real steps are needed. In my opinion, such a step could be several, including the repeal of the law on occupied territories. Also, and this is very important - signing an agreement on the non-use of military force."
He added that these issues would be raised at upcoming sessions of the Geneva International Discussions.
Georgia's Law on Occupied Territories, enacted in 2008 following the Russia-Georgia war and Moscow's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent entities, criminalizes entry into the regions from the Russian-controlled side and imposes penalties for violations.
As for the proposed non-use of force agreement, Tbilisi maintains that it already committed to that principle in the August 12, 2008 EU-brokered ceasefire agreement and has upheld it ever since.
Media Coalition Marks 100 Days Since Detention of Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli
The Media Advocacy Coalition has released a statement marking the 100th day of "unlawful" imprisonment of Mzia Amaglobeli, founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti.
According to the coalition, Amaglobeli is being targeted by state-driven propaganda efforts. "Today marks one hundred days since Mzia Amaglobeli has been in captivity of the regime," the statement reads.
The coalition claims that in the case against Amaglobeli, police officers portrayed as victims are being supported by fabricated video evidence and testimony from false witnesses.
"State propaganda is being directed against Mzia Amaglobeli, which, by spreading false information, is trying to make society lose faith in the importance of fighting for the common good and justice," the statement continues.
Reaffirming support for Amaglobeli, the coalition emphasized the role of journalism in defending truth: "Society will stand on the side of truth, just like Mzia Amaglobeli, who, as a journalist, chose the search for truth and its proclamation as a profession and a way of life."
