Monthly Review

Monitoring of the Situation at the Occupation Line in the Tskhinvali Region

2022 / 07 / 03

Publication N11 / Review Period: June 1-30, 2022 / Author: Elene Mindiashvili

Monitoring of the Situation at the Occupation Line in the Tskhinvali Region 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 review will be useful for everyone – decision-makers, public employees, media representatives and other people who are interested in the mentioned topic.

Detained Citizens

In June, one fact of illegal detention of a Georgian citizen was reported. On June 16, the so-called State Security Committee (KGB) of the Tskhinvali region disseminated information about the detention of a Georgian citizen with the initial “M.” The Georgian citizen “M” was convicted for illegally crossing of the so-called border. However, he was released after paying an administrative fine of RUB 10,000.

The agency does not explain why the illegally crossing of the so-called border was qualified as an administrative crime and the “lawbreaker” was released after paying a monetary fine, while according to the 2021 practice, facts of crossing the occupation line are judged by the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and provide for imprisonment as a preventive measure.

“Borderization” and Ongoing Activities Along the Occupation Line

Resumption of the Borderization Process at Zardiaantkari

On June 18-19, the construction of border infrastructure was resumed on the other side of the occupation line located in the village of Zardiaantkari, Gori municipality, on the territory of the village Khelchua, Eredvi municipality. According to a statement of the State Security Service of Georgia (SSS), the hotline was immediately activated regarding the mentioned fact.

New Infrastructure in Khurvaleti

In the village of Khurvaleti, Gori municipality, on the territory controlled by the central government of Georgia, activities of the occupation forces were observed on June 20 and 24. They placed illegal infrastructure just a few kilometers away from the Tbilisi-Senaki-Leseildze highway, from where the highway can be clearly seen. The locals assume that the activity of the occupation forces was aimed at the construction of a new watchtower, however, the specifics of the building are interesting which are less like the process of building a watchtower seen in the past practice. Judging by the close-up drone shots released by the Power is in Unity anti-occupational movement, the installed structure looks more like a portable satellite radio station deployed during special military trainings in the same location in May 2021.

New Infrastructure in Khurvaleti. Source: amerikishma.com

Important Visits

On June 3, American Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Rob Portman visited the occupation line in the village of Nikozi, Gori municipality. They were guided by representatives of the European Union Monitoring Mission who briefed the Senators about the security and humanitarian challenges related to the occupation on the ground.

Implemented Projects

Practical Course of Entrepreneurship

On June 2, the Office of the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, in cooperation with the LEPL Academy of the Ministry of Finance, announced a competition for attending a training curse. The project is called the Practical Course of Entrepreneurship - How to Start a Business and is aimed at empowering conflict-affected and ethnic minority women living in villages near the dividing line.

Summer Camp

On June 26, within the framework of the Power is in Unity project, a one-week summer camp “Jomardiya” was opened where children from the villages near the occupation line, together with their Ukrainian peers,  took part in educational, entertainment and sports activities.

The camp was founded last year with the financial support of Coca-Cola Bottlers Georgia by David Katsarava, the leader of the Power is in Unity anti-occupation movement, Sophio Chkonia, a member of the Supervisory Board of Coca-Cola Bottlers Georgia, and Egor Kuroptev, the Director of the South Caucasus Bureau of the Free Russia Foundation.

Summer Camp. Source:  qartli.ge