Publication N23 / Review Period: June 1-30, 2023 / Author: Elene Mindiashvili

Monitoring of the Situation at the Occupation Line is being prepared within the framework of the project - Roadmap to Kremlin's Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. The purpose of the publication is to review the situation and ongoing important developments near the occupation line in the Tskhinvali region. The publication will be useful for everyone – decision-makers, public employees, representatives of media and international governmental or non-governmental organizations,  and other people who are interested in the mentioned topic.

Citizens Detained and Released

The de facto Security Committee of the Tskhinvali region published statistics of violation of the so-called border regime and the so-called border zone regime for the month of June. According to statistics, a total of 49 cases of violations were recorded, of which 39 citizens violated the “border zone regime” and ten violated the “border regime.” As the “Committee” press service reports, three citizens were expelled from the Tskhinvali region, 18 persons were imposed an administrative fine, 21 received warning, and a criminal case was initiated against two.

Georgian open sources also published the information about the arrest of two Georgian citizens.

Detention in the Occupied Akhmaji

The State Security Service of Georgia (SSS) confirmed an illegal arrest of a Georgian citizen on June 7. According to the SSS statement, the illegal detention occurred in the vicinity of the village of Akhmaji, the occupied Akhalgori municipality. The identity of the citizen and other details were not released in open sources.

Detention in the Occupied Dmenisi

The de facto “State Security Committee” of South Ossetia reported about the violation of the so-called border regime by a citizen of Georgia. The statement reads that a  24-year-old Lasha Bakhturidze, resident of Rustavi, was arrested. He was detained on June 21, near the village of Dmenisi, the occupied Tskhinvali region, and was released from the Tskhinvali prison after the eight-day illegal imprisonment. Supposedly, an administrative fine was also imposed on him.

“Borderization” and Developments Along the Occupation Line

New Engineering Buildings in Khurvaleti

The occupation forces resumed the illegal “borderization” process which was started in 2022 in the village of Khurvaleti, Gori municipality. Metal poles were placed and barbed wire was laid along the occupation line. Davit Katsarava, the leader of the anti-occupation movement – Power is in Unity, presumes that approximately 200 meters long area was fenced. The SSS also confirmed the renewal of the illegal “borderization” process.

New Engineering Buildings in Khurvaleti. Source: Davit Katsarava's Facebook page.

Important Visits

International Delegation Visits the Occupation Line

On June 5-9, delegates of the Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CivCom) visited EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia.

In addition to the EUMM Field Offices, the delegates visited the occupation line both in the Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia. They personally witnessed the detrimental effect of “borderization” activities on the legal statis of the local population  in relation to freedom of movement and other humaniatian aspects.

Delegation Visits the Occupation Line. Source: eumm.eu

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein Visits the Occupation Line

On June 12, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sports of Liechtenstein, Dominique Hasler, visited an occupation line section in the village of Odzisi, Dusheti municipality. On the ground, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Lasha Darsalia, informed the guest about the legal status of citizens living along the occupation line and existing challenges. This was Minister Hasler's first official visit to Georgia.