"Tskhinvali Court" Orders 2 Months of Pre-trial Detention for Georgian Citizen

The so-called court of occupied Tskhinvali ordered two months of pre-trial detention for Ramaz Begeluri, a resident of Gugutiantkari village of Gori Municipality,the State Security Service confirmed today.

Representatives of the occupation regime illegally detained the Georgian citizen on February 2.

The hotline was immediately activated and the EUMM was informed about the illegal detention. The incident was reported to the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions and international partners.

"The illegal detentions carried out by the occupation regime significantly damage the security environment in the occupied territories and along the occupation line. The illegal detentions are aimed at intimidating the local population and sparking tensions and protests in the territory controlled by the Georgian central government.

"The Russian Federation, as the sole force exercising effective control over the occupied territories, bears full responsibility for the illegal arrests and the accompanying grave consequences," stated the State Security Service of Georgia. 

For the record, recently, the "Supreme Court" of the self-proclaimed republic of South Ossetia sentenced another Georgian citizen, Zaza Gakheladze, residing near the occupation line, to 12 years and 6 months in prison.

The Tskhinvali court convicted Gakheladze on two counts: Article 317 of the Russian Criminal Code (encroachment on the life of a law enforcement officer) and Article 322 (illegal crossing of the state border). 

The illegal detention of Georgian citizens by Russian occupation forces near the occupation line on charges of "illegal crossing of the state border" is a common issue. Detainees are usually released after their family pays a fine.

By Ana Dumbadze  

Related Story: SSSG: Detention of Georgian Citizen Reflects Inhuman Occupation-related Processes