Russia occupied the part of Baku-Tbilisi-Supsa pipeline
By Tea Mariamidze
Monday, July 24
The occupation regime marked the so-called border with arable land in Karapila village, the Kaspi district of the Shida Kartli region on July 21. The lines with arable land were made at the Orchosani village, near the Tbilisi-Gori central highway as well by so-called border guards of South Ossetia.
The head of the Defense Committee of Parliament, Irakli Sesiashvili confirmed that the Baku-Tbilisi-Supsa pipeline was now partially on occupied territory.
“Sadly, this pipeline has fallen behind the administrative boundary line… the actions of the occupation forces are beyond prevocational,” Sesiashvili added.
The Vice Premier and Foreign Minister of Georgia, Mikheil Janelidze, believes that the incident is another example of provocations from Russia.
“We should not respond to any Russian provocations, but it does not mean that we should surrender and say nothing about their actions,” he added.
Janelidze believes that Georgia, with its partners, will be able to stop this process.
“It is important that we, together with the international community, stop these provocative actions. This is the policy we will actively implement next year. We have unprecedented support from the international community. The aggressive actions of the Russian Federation in the occupied regions are strongly condemned,” he stated.
The minister added that Georgia has only diplomatic channels and instruments to peacefully resolve the conflict, prevent Russian aggression and achieve a full de-occupation.
Georgia’s State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, also commented on the issue.
She said that another case of trenching by the occupation forces in the village of Karapila is a measure aimed against the people, as it creates security and humanitarian challenges.
“The fortification of the occupation line with illegal barricades is a process that has lasted several years since 2008, and this is the continuation of the occupation,” Tsikhelashvili stated.
“It is an illegal act which grossly violates international law and agreements,” she added.
The State Security Service of Georgia said the new action of marking the occupation line is the continuation of the illegal process of borderization, which limits the fundamental human rights and deliberately damages the security environment on the ground.
The service claims that this issue will be discussed at the next meeting of Ergneti IPRM, scheduled for September 7.
