Two Georgian Men Detained Near ABL

Two Georgians have been detained near the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) near occupied Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia).

Two Georgian men, Muraz Javakhishvili, 75, and Ivane Sekhniashvili, 41, were detained by so-called Russian border guards from Bershueti village in Gori region, in central Georgia.

The men are thought to have been charged with allegedly crossing the so-called border into de facto Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia), stated Georgian news agency Interpressnews today.

Neighbors of the detained claimed Javakhishvili and Sekhniashvili could not have crossed the ABL and were unlawfully arrested for allegedly crossing the border illegally.

According to past protocol, the occupant forces contact the families of the detained victims and demand payment of a fine in return for their release.

In recent months the number of Georgian citizens detained by Russian occupant forces near the ABL at Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) has increased.

Photo by Molly Corso/Eurasianet.org.