Case of detainees in Ergneti to be conducted by Georgian legislation
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Friday, July 19
Sarmat Gabaraev and Andrei Kabisov, who as reported by the de facto Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of occupied Tskhinvali region, are particularly dangerous criminals and are suspected of armed assault on Ossetian law enforcers, were detained on the territory of Georgia. One of them was injured.
Gabaraev and Kabisov moved from the occupied region to Tbilisi-controlled village Ergneti, where the Georgian law enforcers detained them on July 17.
Naniev, the de facto interior minister told news agency “Res” that the issue of the handover of detainees was in the process of discussion. Ossetian side demanded transfer to happen at 94th Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting in Ergneti on July 18.
The State Security Service of Georgia states that all the procedures of two persons detained in Ergneti will be conducted only by Georgian legislation.
According to the de facto MIA, law enforcers detained Gabaraev and Kabisov, who had been tracked down earlier on July 16, in the village of Zalda in Tskhinvali region, where they were hiding in the house of one of the local residents. According to the de facto MIA, Gabaraev and Kabisov performed armed resistance against law enforcers. According to the same source, two law enforcement officers and one of the attackers were seriously wounded.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia confirmed the detention of two persons. The investigation was launched under Article 322 of the Criminal Code - a violation of the rules of entry into the occupied territories. This article provides for fine or imprisonment for 2 to 4 years.
One of the detainees, who was wounded, was operated in one of Tbilisi’s clinics. Representative of the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Zviad Zviadadze commented. A person trapped in Tbilisi-controlled territory was severely wounded. According to Zviadadze, the life of the person after the operation is not in danger.
Previously mentioned the 94th meeting of IPRM that was held in Ergneti yesterday. Regarding the issue of detainees, Egor Kochiev from the de facto leadership said that they did not raise the issue of the handover of currently wanted Tskhinvali residents Gabraev and Kabisov. Georgian State Security Service representative Irakli Antadze commented that the investigation regarding the issue is ongoing and details will be revealed shortly.
The main issue raised during the meeting was illegal barbed-wire-fences – de facto leaders plan to continue erection of fences that are condemned by the Georgian government. “We will continue the process as it is important for making the state border,” announced Kochiev after the meeting – meanwhile, Georgian central government demands the suspension of the process, which stirs tension and humanitarian problems. It raised multiple issues concerning illegal borderisation, problems of locals, and cases of Georgian citizens, killed in the region.
The following meeting is scheduled for August 29.
It’s noteworthy that on the same day Russian President Vladimir Putin signed additional ratified protocol to the “Alliance and Integration Agreement” with “South Ossetia,” which gives residents of occupied Tskhinvali region, the right to stay on the territory of Russia permanently.
Before Putin’s “Protocol” signature South Ossetians “citizens” could stay in Russia for 90 days in 180 days.
This “document” also reads that Russian citizens are allowed to stay in South Ossetia for a lifetime.
