Occupants Release Two Georgians Detained with Tatunashvili

The de facto regime of Georgia’s Russian-backed, occupied South Ossetia have released two Georgian citizens, Levan Kutashvili and Ioseb Pavliashvili, who were kidnapped alongside Archil Tatunashvili, who died in unclear circumstances on the second day of his detention.

The two men left occupied Akhalgori late on March 11, after spending 18 days there.

Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) reports that the released men have no signs of torture.

Deputy Interior Minister, Kakhaber Sabanadze, alongside the Minister of Refugees, Sozar Subari, and Reconciliation and Civic Equality Minister, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, met Kutashvili and Pavliashvili in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti police department.

Sabanadze says the Georgian side has launched an investigation under articles 108 and 143.

“We are actively working to transfer Tatunashvili’s body from the occupied territory,” the Deputy Interior Minister stated.

According to Subari, the released men will return to their families, adding there is no news regarding Tatunashvili as of yet.

Archil Tatunashvili, Levan Kutashvili and Ioseb Pavliashvili were detained in occupied Akhalgori on February 22. The next day it was reported that Tatunashvili died. Official Tbilisi has been demanding the handover of Tatunashvili’s body since then; however, de facto authorities claim they need to carry out forensic expertise.

By Thea Morrison