Ministry of Internal Affairs: Russian Activist Rafael Shepelev Voluntarily Crossed Occupation Line in Georgia
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, November 10, 2023
Regarding the potential disappearance of Russian activist Rafael Shepelev in Georgia, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has stated that he crossed the occupation line willingly.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the investigation is being conducted under Article 143 of the Criminal Code.
The agency also stated that as soon as they received the notification about Rafael Shepelev's disappearance, they initiated an investigation and conducted interviews with all potential witnesses.
Furthermore, they reviewed video surveillance camera records, which confirm that on October 12, the Russian citizen left his residence in Tbilisi, traveled to the city of Gori, and then took a taxi to the village of Kirbali.
Based on information gathered from interviews with individuals, including the taxi driver and local residents, it was determined that after exiting the car, the individual voluntarily crossed the occupation line and proceeded into the occupied territory.
"Additionally, the footage from video surveillance cameras was reviewed, confirming that on October 12, the Russian citizen traveled from his residence in Shida Kartli, specifically the city of Gori, to the village of Kirbali by taxi.
As per the accounts provided by the individuals interviewed, including the taxi driver and local residents, the individual voluntarily crossed the occupation line and proceeded into the depths of the occupied territory," as stated in the release.
Russian media reported the disappearance of the Russian activist from Georgia between November 8 and 9. According to their reports, Rafael Shepelev left an apartment on Mtatsminda Street in Tbilisi at the start of October and did not return. Initially, there were speculations that he might have been detained in Vladikavkaz.
