IPRM Meeting in Ergneti: Concerns Over Murder Investigation and Illegal Borderization
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, March 21, 2024
The Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting lasted for several hours in Ergneti. Deputy Director of the Information and Analytical Department of the State Security Service, Irakli Antadze, stated that they heard a cynical position from the representatives of the Russian occupation forces regarding the murder of Georgian citizen Tamaz Ginturi.
"First of all, we were interested in what steps were taken by the Russian Federation regarding the murder of Tamaz Ginturi and whether we should expect that the law would be enforced. Unfortunately, we heard the same cynical position that was repeatedly voiced by the representatives of the Russian occupation forces. Unfortunately, we heard the same narrative today regarding the killing of Tamaz Ginturi by the representatives of the Russian occupation forces, stating that the border guards "acted in full compliance with the regulations," Antadze stated.
Antadze stated that illegal borderization was discussed at the meeting, with extensive conversation and identification of affected locations. He criticized the unchanged stance of the occupying forces, who seek to legitimize the process with baseless arguments. Antadze emphasized that illegal installations lead to further injustices, such as the unlawful detention of civilians. He highlighted the ongoing victimization, noting that six citizens remain in illegal detention.
"As for the process of illegal borderization, there was also a rather extensive discussion on this. We identified the locations where the process of illegal borderization was observed during the period between the meetings. Unfortunately, the position of the occupying forces remains unchanged; they are attempting to legitimize this extremely destructive process with absurd arguments. What we always emphasize is that erecting illegal installations does not simply involve putting up a fence or barbed wire; first and foremost, it serves as a precursor to subsequent processes, such as the illegal detention of civilians. This victimization is still evident today, with six of our fellow citizens remaining in illegal detention in the occupied territory," Antadze said.
