EUMM Issues Statement on Detention and Alleged Shooting Incident at ABL

The EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia has issued a statement on detention and alleged shooting incident at the Administrative Boundary Line between Tbilisi-Administered Territory and South Ossetia.

“The EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia confirms the extensive use of the Mission-managed Hotline yesterday with regard to the detention and alleged shooting of a Georgian citizen at the Administrative Boundary Line between Tbilisi-Administered Territory (TAT) and South Ossetia.

"The Mission has been facilitating the exchange of respective information throughout the day. The EUMM will follow up closely the alleged shooting incident and subsequent detention.

"In this context, Head of Mission Marek Szczygieł recalled the importance of a swift resumption of the Ergneti Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) as the appropriate forum for regular dialogue and confidence-building,” reads the statement.

Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze was detained on Saturday near the Skhvilo Castle, a medieval fortress located in the region of Shida Kartli, in Kaspi District. 

The Kaspi Municipality Mayor representative, Stepane Mesropashvili, stated that the detained Gakheladze was wounded in the leg by a gunshot fired by the occupation forces. He was transferred from Akhalgori hospital to Tskhinvali. 

"The family members of the detained citizen claim that his health condition is stable. The representatives of the EUMM met with the family members. They were also contacted by the Red Cross representatives," he stated.

By Ana Dumbadze