IPRM Meeting in Gali on Developments in Occupied Abkhazia

The 55th meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), chaired by the UN, with participation of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM), was held in occupied Gali on April 25. 

The meeting was also attended by Georgian representatives from the State Security Service (SSS) and Reconciliation and Civil Equality Ministry of Georgia, and the representatives from de facto authorities of breakaway Abkhazia.

The participants discussed every significant incident that had taken place in the occupied region and in the vicinities of the occupation line since the last meeting held on March 21.

The EUMM expressed concerns about the number of detentions at the Administrative Boundary Line - with 5 new cases recorded since the last meeting in Gali. An efficient exchange of information took place regarding these recent detentions and a number of criminal acts.

The Georgian SSS raised the issue of restoration of justice in connection with the cruel murder of Georgian citizen Giga Otkhozoria on May 19, 2016.

The representatives of the Central Government also discussed the urgency of the release of illegally detained Georgian citizens with IPRM participants.

The Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism was created in February 2009 as a result of the Geneva Discussions that followed the 2008 conflict in Georgia. The meetings are an opportunity to identify potential risks and problems facing the local community, follow up on incidents, and exchange information.

The next IPRM meeting will take place in Gali on 18 May. 

By Thea Morrison