Ergneti IPRM Meeting Discusses Detentions and Movement Restrictions Along Occupied Areas
By Messenger Staff
Thursday, April 2, 2026
The 131st Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting took place on March 31 in the village of Ergneti, close to the "administrative boundary line" with the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region.
The session was led by Christoph Späti and Bettina Patricia Boughani, representing the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia.
Georgia's State Security Service said discussions covered recent incidents along the line. Officials again demanded accountability for the killing of Tamaz Ginturi and raised the need for the release of people held in detention.
The case of activist Tamar Mearakishvili was also addressed. She had been expelled from the occupied region and briefly detained in December 2025 on espionage charges. Georgian authorities called for her safe return.
Movement across "crossing points" was a major topic, particularly with Easter approaching. Co-facilitators stressed the importance of easing restrictions so that residents on both sides could safely participate in religious and community activities. They also reiterated calls to fully reopen the "crossing points," noting the positive effect on daily life for local populations.
Security concerns along the line, including new fences and barbed wire, were discussed. Both the OSCE and EUMM emphasized the need for a humanitarian approach to existing detentions and highlighted the role of the EUMM-managed hotline in preventing and managing incidents.
Representing the de facto authorities, Igor Kochiev said the situation along the line remained "stable and predictable." He mentioned several alleged incidents, including a Georgian citizen in detention, a Georgian law enforcement officer, and an unmanned aerial vehicle entering the area.
Kochiev also referred to a Georgian police post near the village of Tsnelisi, known as the Chorchana checkpoint, calling for its removal while noting that some understanding had been reached between the sides.
On irrigation issues, he said both parties were cooperating to maintain water supply for agriculture, describing it as a shared humanitarian concern.
The next IPRM session is planned for May 14.
