border incidents near South Ossetia

South Ossetia incident: Two Russian soldiers advance 500m into Georgian-controlled territory, fire warning shots, in failed attempt to detain resident

By | March 9th, 2021|Categories: In brief|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch--The two armed Russian service members advanced 500 meters into territory controlled by Georgia and fired warning shots in an attempt to seize a local resident in the village Khurvaleti, about 50km northwest of Tbilisi, an eyewitness told Radio Tavisupleba. Khurvaleti is located at the southern tip of the breakaway region South Ossetia, whose de [...]

Georgian doctor freed from South Ossetian captivity

By | December 30th, 2019|Categories: News|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch--A prominent Georgian medical doctor was released on December 28 after spending 50 days in South Ossetian captivity for “illegal border crossing”. After his release on Saturday, Vazha Gaprindashvili emphasized that he has never admitted crossing the border, which is not recognized as such by Georgia. “My position was from the first day [of captivity], and [...]

South Ossetia issues ultimatum to Georgia to remove checkpoint

By | August 30th, 2019|Categories: News|Tags: , , , , , |

Ossetian forces at the administrative boundary line. TBILISI, DFWatch--The situation along the de facto border of South Ossetia further worsened on Thursday after representative of breakaway authorities put forward an ultimatum to Georgia to dismantle a checkpoint at the village Chorchana, in Khashuri municipality. If Georgia doesn't dismantle the checkpoint by 6 am Friday [...]

South Ossetia sends extra forces to demarcation line as Georgia builds new checkpoint

By | August 29th, 2019|Categories: News|Tags: , , , |

South Ossetia sent additional forces to "ensure the safety citizens". (Sputnik-Ossetia.) TBILISI, DFWatch--The situation along the de facto border of South Ossetia remains tense as Tskhinvali sent armed forces to prevent the construction of a police checkpoint by the Georgian side. The checkpoint is being built in the vicinity of Georgian village Chorchana. “In [...]

South Ossetia increases fines for ‘border violations’ 250%

By | October 25th, 2018|Categories: News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch--Authorities in the breakaway region South Ossetia have increased the fines for 'illegal crossing of the state border' by two and a half times; from 2,000 (USD 30) to 5,000 Russian rubles (USD 75). This change in the size of fines is one of the reasons for why it took longer time than usual for [...]

37 y/o woman released by South Ossetia, says she was mistreated during apprehension

By | October 9th, 2018|Categories: News|Tags: , |

Maia Otinashvili is being met by relatives and family members at the village of Ergneti. (Sputnik Ossetia.) TBILISI, DFWatch--A Georgian woman released Tuesday by Tskhinvali says he was physically abused when she was apprehended but was treated better during her 10 day long captivity. Maia Otinashvili, a 37 year old mother of three minors, [...]

South Ossetia presents video to show Georgian woman detainee is treated well after family says she was beaten

By | October 4th, 2018|Categories: News|Tags: , , |

TBILISI, DFWatch--Breakaway authorities in Tskhinvali have released a video supposed to show that a Georgian woman is being treated well in detention. Maia Otinashvili (37) was seized by armed, masked men on September 29 in her orchard in the village Khurvaleti, right on the border to the disputed territory. Meanwhile, the Georgia's Public Defenders states that [...]

More people detained for trying to leave South Ossetia than for trying to enter

By | July 8th, 2018|Categories: News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch–South Ossetia’s KGB has published data which reveals that more people have been punished for trying to leave the breakaway region than for crossing into the territory. As DFWatch reported early on, people living near the de facto border are frequently being detained […]

17-year-old who was detained on border returned by South Ossetia

By | September 18th, 2016|Categories: News|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch–A 17-year-old Georgian who was detained Friday by Russian soldiers patrolling the border of South Ossetia was returned on Saturday. Joni Gogichaishvili’s return was confirmed by the European Union Monitoring Mission to Georgia (EUMM), […]

Russian patrol detains 17-year-old Georgian on disputed border

By | September 17th, 2016|Categories: News|Tags: , , , |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards on Friday detained a 17-year-old Georgian near the border with South Ossetia. The incident took place in the village Bershueti. The detainee, Joni Gogichaishvili from the village Sobisi, was taken to the detention facility […]

60-year-old Georgian cattle herder detained by Russian border patrol

By | September 12th, 2016|Categories: In brief|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch–A 60-year-old Georgian man was detained on Sunday near the border with Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia for violating the border. Valiko Khizanishvili, who is from the village Koshka, was detained when he was out in a field looking after cattle. […]

One Georgian detained by South Ossetia for violating border

By | August 4th, 2016|Categories: In brief|Tags: |

(DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The incident took place this morning in the village Kveshi, according to Gori municipality. Locals say 36-year-old Aleko Sheverdashvili was in his garden when armed men came and took him away. They say Sheverdashvili didn’t cross the administrative […]

Two Georgians detained by Russian border patrol in Bershueti

By | June 13th, 2016|Categories: News|Tags: |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Georgians were detained on Saturday by officers of the Russian FSB’s border service patrolling the perimeter of the breakaway region South Ossetia. Roin Zautashvili and his son Giorgi were detained for border violation in the village Bershueti […]

One person detained at South Ossetian boundary line

By | April 11th, 2016|Categories: In brief|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch–43-year-old Erosi Takadze was detained by Russian border police at South Ossetian administrative boundary line (ABL) on Saturday, 9 April. According to Mr Takadze’s relatives in the village of Kirbali, which is located in Gori region right next […]

Russians building new road near South Ossetia boundary line

By | March 14th, 2016|Categories: News|Tags: |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russians are constructing a new road near the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) with Georgia’s breakaway region South Ossetia, at the village Jariasheni. The State Security Service Sunday informed that the construction […]

Georgian released by South Ossetia

By | January 13th, 2016|Categories: In brief|Tags: |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The de facto government of the breakaway republic South Ossetia Tuesday evening released Lasha Glurjidze, 21, after nine days in detention. Glurjidze was released after paying a 2,000 Ruble (USD 26) fine for ‘crossing the border’ […]

Two Georgians detained by Russian forces in Bershueti

By | January 5th, 2016|Categories: Security|Tags: |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Georgians were detained by Russian border guards on Monday at the delineation line around the breakaway territory South Ossetia. Saba Sekhniashvili and Lasha Glurjidze were trying to go to the Trinity Church, which lies in the village Bershueti. […]

Russian border guards detain three on South Ossetia perimeter

By | November 23rd, 2015|Categories: News|Tags: |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three people were detained by Russian soldiers on Monday in a village near the disputed border with South Ossetia. Locals in the village Adzvi told the television channel Imedi that the three were planning to go to a church which lies near […]

Two Georgians detained on disputed South Ossetia border

By | August 27th, 2015|Categories: News|Tags: |

About a hundred Georgians are detained every year for crossing the disputed border. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards on Tuesday detained two Georgian citizens who were out attending cattle in Bershueti, which borders with the breakaway region South Ossetia. The detainees are Muraz Javakhishvili (75) and Ivane Sekhniashvili (41). […]

One Georgian detained on South Ossetia border

By | August 13th, 2015|Categories: In brief|Tags: |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers a few days ago detained another Georgian for violating the border with breakaway South Ossetia. Mamuka Samkharadze (36) was out collecting firewood near the village Kirbala, which borders on the breakaway region. […]

Georgian man detained at South Ossetia border

By | July 26th, 2015|Categories: News|Tags: |

The new fences run through farm land. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards Saturday detained a man in a village bordering with Georgia’s breakaway region South Ossetia. Davit Khuroshvili, 48, from Khurvaleti was detained for violating the border. Locals claim he was detained in his own garden. […]

Donald Tusk visits Georgia’s disputed border zone

By | July 21st, 2015|Categories: Security|Tags: , |

(Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President of the European Council Donald Tusk on Tuesday visited an area near the disputed border with South Ossetia where Russian border guards recently installed new signs. Tusk went to the area near Khurvaleti and Tsitelubani, […]

Donald Tusk visits Georgia, takes sides in border dispute

By | July 21st, 2015|Categories: News|Tags: , |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President of the European Council Donald Tusk on Monday sided with Georgia in a conflict over the installation of border signs with South Ossetia, calling the signs a provocation. The signs are placed along the old ‘administrative border’ […]

South Ossetia investigating border sign removal

By | July 19th, 2015|Categories: News|Tags: |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–South Ossetia has initiated a criminal investigation of the journalists who recently pulled down a border sign demarcating the breakaway region and replaced it with a Georgian flag. According to South Ossetia’s official news agency RES, […]

Locals unhappy about South Ossetia border protests

By | July 17th, 2015|Categories: News|Tags: |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Locals gathered near the border with Georgia’s breakaway region South Ossetia on Friday to protest against the actions of a group of journalists who staged a protest a few days ago against Russia’s ‘creeping occupation.’ People say they have […]

Another border incident: Georgian flag removed by armed Ossetian servicemen

By | July 16th, 2015|Categories: News|Tags: |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers on Wednesday removed a Georgian flag at the border with the breakaway region South Ossetia. On June 10, Russian troops guarding the perimeter of the breakaway republic placed two news border signs near the villages […]

Ten Georgians released from detention by breakaway region

By | May 27th, 2015|Categories: In brief|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ten Georgian citizens were released by authorities in the breakaway region South Ossetia Tuesday evening. They had been detained for ‘violating the border’. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the released are: Nugzar Gelashvili, from the village […]

Two more people detained at disputed S.O. border as parties meet

By | May 26th, 2015|Categories: Security|Tags: , |

(EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two more people were detained on the disputed border with one of Georgia’s breakaway regions on Monday. The incident took place the same day as the parties were gathered in a border village for EU- and OSCE-hosted negotiations. The […]

Russian border guards detain Georgian man (42) during funeral

By | May 25th, 2015|Categories: In brief|Tags: , , |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A 42 year old man was detained by Russian border guards at the funeral of his mother-in-law, which was held on a cemetery close to the border with South Ossetia. The detainee, Gia Solashvili, comes from the village Karkusaani. Since the cemetery […]

Over two thousand Georgians have been detained on disputed borders

By | May 19th, 2015|Categories: News|Tags: , |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–2,117 Georgians have been detained by Russian border guards accused of crossing the border with Abkhazia or South Ossetia since 2009. The new figures were presented by Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) and are based on data […]

One Georgian detained by Russian border guards near disputed region

By | May 18th, 2015|Categories: In brief|Tags: , , |

The 67 year old was out looking after cattle near Adzvi when Russian border guards approached. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards on Monday detained one more person near the village Adzvi, which borders with South Ossetia. The detainee is Grisha Balamtsarashvili (67), who was out in the field looking after cattle at the edge of the village, together with […]

Two Georgian boys detained, released by South Ossetia

By | May 16th, 2015|Categories: News|Tags: |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two Georgians were detained by Russian border guards on Friday near the village Adzvi, near the delineation line around South Ossetia. The detainees were two young men, Lasha Tanashvili, 15 and Levan Kokoriani, 18, who were out looking […]

One Georgian released by South Ossetia

By | December 24th, 2014|Categories: News|Tags: |

Sign warning about the de facto border. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–South Ossetia on Tuesday released one of two Georgians who were detained for crossing the disputed border. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Vasil Khidasheli and Alexandre Shiukashvili were detained on December 20 […]

Two Georgians detained by Russian border guards

By | October 8th, 2014|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: , |

Locals say there isn’t any physical barrier marking the disputed border near Kvemo Ikorta. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards on Tuesday detained a husband and wife in a village bordering breakaway South Ossetia. The two, Kakha Kazishvili and Zina Natriashvili, were detained in the village Kvemo Ikorta as they were trying to cross the ‘border’ to visit relatives. […]

Three Georgians detained near South Ossetia

By | August 25th, 2014|Categories: News|Tags: |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers last week detained three Georgian citizens at a village bordering with the breakaway region South Ossetia. According to Channel 1, Russians detained a father and son, Avtandil and Shota Atskarunashvili, and later also Ilia […]

Two Georgians detained by Russian soldiers

By | August 1st, 2014|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

A sign warning about the de facto border. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have detained two Georgian citizens outside the village Kveshi, near Gori, which borders on the South Ossetian breakaway region. According to Interpressnews, the detainees are Zakro Butkhuzi, from Kveshi, and his guest Buta […]

One more Georgian detained on disputed SO border

By | May 19th, 2014|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: , , |

One of the signs warning about the disputed border. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers on Sunday detained Otar Kokoshvili, 54, from the village Tamarasheni, near Kareli. He was taken to a detention facility in Tskhinvali, a central town in the breakaway region South Ossetia. According to his relatives, Kokoshvili […]

EU’s observers call for release of jonjoli pickers

By | May 13th, 2014|Categories: News|Tags: , , |

Jonjoli, or bladdernut, is a shrub used for cooking in Georgia. (Photo by Georgia’s Ministry of Environment Protection.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Union Monitoring Mission to Georgia (EUMM) calls on South Ossetia to release all Georgians detained for picking the plant jonjoli. Jonjoli, or bladdernut, is a shrub used for cooking in Georgia. It grows in the wild in areas adjacent […]

Seven more Georgians detained on disputed SO border

By | May 12th, 2014|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: , , |

Four Georgians were released by South Ossetia, but seven more detained. This leaves nearly twenty people in detention in Tskhinvali. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards Monday detained seven more Georgians in villages bordering South Ossetia. The same day, four Georgians were released. This leaves nearly 20 Georgians who still remain in detention in Tskhinvali. The seven Georgians were detained […]

Five Georgians released by South Ossetia

By | May 11th, 2014|Categories: News|Tags: |

Five out of eighteen Georgians detained in South Ossetia were released on Saturday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–South Ossetia on Saturday released five out of 18 Georgians detained for allegedly crossing the disputed border. 18 Georgians have been detained by Russian soldiers in the last two weeks in villages on the disputed border. According to the five  […]

Eight more Georgians detained at disputed SO border

By | May 9th, 2014|Categories: News|Tags: , , , , |

A sign warning about the Russia-imposed border. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Interior Ministry has confirmed that 8 more Georgians have been detained today on the disputed South Ossetia border. Russian soldiers arrested 7 persons from the village Korbouli and one from the village Chala in the Imereti region, in western […]

Two more Georgians detained on disputed SO border

By | April 29th, 2014|Categories: News|Tags: , , |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers Monday detained two more Georgians on the border with South Ossetia. The incident took place in the village Kldistskharo, and on the same day as a meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism, that are used to solve […]

Three Georgian women released by South Ossetia

By | April 27th, 2014|Categories: News|Tags: , , , , |

Rusudan Khuroshvili, one of the three women who were detained by Russian soldiers for allegedly crossing the disputed border. (Rustavi 2.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three women who were detained by Russian soldiers on the South Ossetian border on Friday have been released. The three were detained in the village Khurvaleti, which lies right on the disputed border. Georgian news agency Interpressnews reports that […]

One more Georgian detained at disputed border

By | April 27th, 2014|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: , , , , , |

Ditsi, another village where people have been detained on the disputed border. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–One Georgian was detained Saturday by Russian soldiers near the border with South Ossetia. This is the fourth Georgian this happens to this week. Merab Kapanadze, 70, from the village Tseronisi, was detained while tending to his cattle […]

Three Georgians detained on South Ossetia border

By | April 25th, 2014|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

The detainees are believed to be held in a Tskhinvali prison. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have detained three Georgian citizens in the village Khurvaleti for violating the border with South Ossetia. All three detainees – Rusudan Khuroshvili, Zeinab Kharkheli and Lali Khuroshvili – were taken to South Ossetia. […]

Georgian TV crew detained in South Ossetia

By | April 16th, 2014|Categories: News|Tags: , , , |

Vakho Lekiashvili (left) and Bela Zakaidze from TV3. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian TV crew of three was detained by Russian soldiers Tuesday on the de facto border with South Ossetia. RES, the official news agency of the breakaway region confirmed that three Georgians had been detained, but failed to name the detainees. […]

UN, OSCE and EU diplomats on field trip in South Ossetia

By | March 14th, 2014|Categories: News|Tags: , , , , , |

Antti Turunen, UN Secretary General’s Representative for Georgia, who was part of the delegation. (Photo by OSCE/Dieter Nagl.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Representatives of the United Nations, OSCE and European Union this week paid a two-day visit to South Ossetia and met with members of the breakaway region’s delegation to the Geneva talks. The delegation consisted of co-chairs of the talks, which […]

Russia resumes building of South Ossetia border fences

By | February 26th, 2014|Categories: News|Tags: , , , |

Razor wire is one of the measures Russian border guards are using to enforce the de facto border. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have resumed the installation of warning signs and barbed wire at villages near the border with the breakaway region South Ossetia. A sign warning about the de facto border was installed in the village Ghogheti near Kareli on Tuesday. […]

South Ossetia restricts medical trips to Georgia during Olympics

By | February 6th, 2014|Categories: News|Tags: , , |

TBILISI, DFWatch–In and around the Georgian breakaway region South Ossetia, disagreement over a de facto border may place further burdens on ordinary people around the time of the Winter Olympics. The reason is that the region’s border guards are tightening security […]

One person a day detained at de facto border in 2014

By | January 13th, 2014|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch–14 persons have been detained by South Ossetia from December 31 to January 10 for violating the de facto border. Nine of the detainees were locals from South Ossetia, one was a Russian citizen and four were Georgian citizens. They were detained […]

Two more Georgians detained by Russian soldiers near South Ossetia

By | November 30th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

Russian soldiers at Dvani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have taken two more Georgian villagers to a detention facility in Tskhinvali inside the breakaway region South Ossetia. Ambrosi Kapanadze and Genad Baisikovi were taken from the villages Tsagveli and Kobi Saturday morning. Their […]

One released from South Ossetian detention

By | November 28th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: , , |

A roadblock at the de facto border at Ergneti. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian man has been released from a holding facility in South Ossetia after first being detained two days ago for trespassing. Malkhaz Vanishvili, 24, from the village Khurvaleti near the de facto border, was detained together with Gocha Makishvili. […]

Two Georgians detained near South Ossetia

By | November 26th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , , , , , |

Sign at Ergneti. (DF Watch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have detained two Georgian citizens at the de facto border with the breakaway region South Ossetia. The detainees – Malkhaz Vanishvili, 28, and Gocha Makishvili, 28, from the village Khurvaleti – have been taken to a detention […]

Georgia tries to locate MTC’s broadcasters in South Ossetia

By | November 6th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s National Communications Commission (GNCC) has confirmed that Russian mobile operator MTC is providing network coverage in villages that border on the breakaway region South Ossetia. GNCC has repeatedly monitored the radiofrequency […]

Georgian agency preparing reaction against MTC

By | November 2nd, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

Georgia is looking into what Russian telecom company MTC is doing in the breakaway region South Ossetia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s National Communications Commission (GNCC) has started monitoring of the radio frequency spectrum in order to learn the activity of MTC, a Russian mobile company. The monitoring is done to find out what MTC is doing on the territory of Georgia, […]

Georgia to sue Russian telecom company MTC

By | October 30th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili, says mobile phones get connected to MTC when 200 meters from the de facto border. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is preparing to sue the Russian communications network MTC. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said Monday at a press conference that he met with Polish journalists on Sunday and received information that the area near the […]

Tbilisi City Hall to buy apples from conflict zone

By | October 12th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Hall plans to purchase apples from villages close to the Russian-controlled territories. The plan is the initiative of the Mayor of Tbilisi, and the goal is to help people living in the conflict zone who otherwise would be left without an income […]

Russia’s South Ossetia fences now stretch 35 km

By | October 10th, 2013|Categories: Caucasus region, News|Tags: , |

The barbed wire bundles in Dvani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The length of barbed wire and fences along the delineation line with the breakaway region South Ossetia is now 35 kilometers. Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze says 65 Georgian families have been affected as result of the installation of barbed wire […]

NATO and EU concerned about Russian borderization

By | October 2nd, 2013|Categories: Caucasus region, News|Tags: , , |

Anders Fogh Rasmussen. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton express concern about the recent actions by Russian soldiers who are expanding the de facto border around the breakaway region South Ossetia and installing […]

Protesters set up wire block outside Ivanishvili’s house

By | October 1st, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The organization Droa protested outside Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili’s business center Monday evening, installing barbed wires at the entrance. Police prohibited them from blocking the road with wires, so they placed them on the side walk. […]

Ivanishvili: border reinforcement has to do with Olympics

By | September 27th, 2013|Categories: Caucasus region, News|Tags: , , |

Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says the moving of the border line near the villages Ditsi and Dvani is connected to security around the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics. His comments were made on Wednesday while meeting economic analysts at his business […]

Continued trouble at South Ossetia de facto border

By | September 25th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |

Dvani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Ossetians ask locals in the village Dvani to empty their storage rooms, which they claim are on South Ossetian territory. “Ossetian villager came to us yesterday afternoon, called us and required to empty storage rooms in two days, because the […]

Georgia commits to peaceful means to solve border issue

By | September 24th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: , |

Davit Jalaghania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry says Georgia can only use peaceful and civilian methods against Russia’s action to move the border to the breakaway region South Ossetia. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Davit Jalaghania said on Monday that Russia […]

Russian soldiers move South Ossetian border 600 meters

By | September 23rd, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers Sunday moved the border 600 meters into Georgian-controlled territory in the village Dvani, close to South Ossetia. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Russian soldiers started preliminary work to install wire fences, […]

US concerned about Russian border activity in contested region

By | September 21st, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch–The United States expresses concern about Russian soldiers installing wire fences at the South Ossetian border. A statement issued by the US Embassy to Georgia on Friday on instructions of the Department of State says the US is concerned with […]

Russian soldiers cease border activity

By | September 19th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers have halted the installation of wire feinces in the border village of Ditsi near South Ossetia. According to the Interior Ministry, the situation is now peaceful in Ditsi, while police are continuing to patrol and the village. […]

Russian border work is continuing, Georgia protests

By | September 18th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers are continuing to install wire fences along the border with South Ossetia in the village Ditsi. The fence now run a few meters from the house of the Beruashvili family. But locals say the three houses, which it seemed might end up on […]

Georgia issues appeal about Russian border activity

By | September 18th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: , |

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry appeals to the international community to take measures in order to prevent illegal actions by Russia in the conflict zone. The appeal comes in response to reports about new activity by Russian soldiers on the […]

Russian soldiers begin border work, locals resist

By | September 17th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

Russian soldiers have restarted work along the de facto border around South Ossetia in the village Ditsi. Locals say three houses are in danger of ending up on the other side, inside Russian-controlled territory. A few months ago […]

Three Georgians released from Tskhinvali detention

By | August 29th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: , |

Tsitelubani. (tv1.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three Georgians were released on Wednesday by Russian soldiers in South Ossetia, a Georgian breakaway region. Irakli Merebashvili, and the couple Nana Vanishvili, Alexandre Tsertsvadze and their teenage child were detained on August 22 in the village […]

Three Georgians detained by Russian soldiers near South Ossetia

By | August 24th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian soldiers Friday detained three Georgian citizens close to the breakaway region South Ossetia. The incident took place as the father of one the detainees, Aleksandre Tsertsvdze, was being driven by his neighbor to the neighboring village, […]

EU calls for restraint after shooting near South Ossetia checkpoint

By | August 13th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: , |

The village Kveshi. (Radio Tavisupleba.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In the morning of August 10, there was a shooting incident close to the so-called administrative border around South Ossetia. A patrol car of Georgia’s Interior Ministry and representatives of EUMM were present. The Georgian Interior Ministry in […]

Medvedev: Razor wire fences were not agreed with me

By | August 7th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: , |

In the village Ditsi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says that the installation of razor wire close to the so-called administrative border with South Ossetia was not agreed with the Kremlin. In May, Russian soldiers moved a de facto border line around South […]

Six Georgians remain in detention in Tskhinvali

By | August 1st, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

Tbilisi, DFWatch – Russian soldiers have detained one more Georgian citizen in a village close to the breakaway region South Ossetia. Locals say Mikheil Khurievi, 63, was in the village Tsitelubani on Georgian-controlled territory when Russian soldiers approached him. […]

NGOs in Georgia appeal to EU to stop Russian border activity

By | July 23rd, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian National Platform, a coalition of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), appeals to EU to oppose Russia’s recent border moving and installing of razor wire at the so-called administrative border. The statement says that the Russian […]

One Georgian released by South Ossetia

By | July 19th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: , |

(Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–South Ossetia has released Guram Gigineishvili, a Georgian who was detained five days ago in a village bordering on Russian-controlled territory. Russian soldiers detained Guram Gigineishvili in the village Bershueti while he was working in […]

Five more Georgians detained at de facto border

By | July 16th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

Earlier this year the de facto border was moved 300 m and reinforced with razor wire in Ditsi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Russian border guards have detained five more Georgian citizens for crossing the de facto border near the breakaway region South Ossetia. A journalist working for Interpressnews reports that three Georgians were detained in the village Akhalubani […]

Eleven more Georgians released by South Ossetia

By | May 9th, 2013|Categories: News, Security|Tags: |

The eleven had been detained for crossing the border into South Ossetia, a Georgian breakaway region which Russia has propped up for over twenty years. (Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Eleven more Georgia citizens have been released from their detention by Russian soldiers. They were detained earlier in May for crossing the border with South Ossetia. The release on Wednesday came after the Ministry of Interior had held […]

12 Georgians released from South Ossetian detention

By | May 8th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , , , |

Five of the detainees were minors from the village Korbouli. (Police.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Twelve Georgian citizens were Tuesday released after having been detained by Russian soldiers for crossing the border of South Ossetia. May 1 to 4, Russian soldiers detained 22 people living in villages near to the breakaway region. According […]

Six Georgians released by South Ossetia

By | April 6th, 2013|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch–The de facto government of Georgia’s breakaway region South Ossetia has released six Georgians who were detained for ‘illegally crossing the border.’ Two of them have been detained since September 19, 2012. Malkhaz Titvelashvili and Givi […]

Three Georgians released by Tskhinvali authorities

By | November 25th, 2012|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch — Three Georgian citizens have been released from prison in occupied Tskhinvali region. The three were arrested for crossing the de facto border at the village Kirbali, near the town Gori. Georgia’s Interior Ministry informs that Gia and Akaki […]

Russian soldiers arrest Georgian policeman

By | September 30th, 2012|Categories: News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch — Russian soldiers have arrested a Georgian police employee inside the occupied territory. Georgia considers this an attempt by Russia to create tension in the current situation. Russian media first reported that Georgian law enforcers Saturday […]

Georgia moved de facto border some hundred meters

By | July 16th, 2012|Categories: News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Georgia June 29 moved a police checkpoint a few hundred meters into Russian-controlled territory in the South Ossetian breakaway region. The EU has been mediating talks on the ensuing controversy. The checkpoint was moved from the village Mereti […]

Four Georgians detained in South Ossetia

By | May 25th, 2012|Categories: In brief, News|Tags: |

TBILISI, DFWatch – Four Georgians have been detained after having crossed into the breakaway region South Ossetia. The four were detained on May 21 and 22 after going on a trip to pick staphylea, a plant which is used for common sour dish in Georgia. Shota Utiashvili, […]

Disappearances inefficiently investigated by Georgia and Russia

By | April 28th, 2012|Categories: Opinion|Tags: |

During and after the Russo-Georgia conflict in August 2008, there have been a lot of human rights violations committed by both parties in the conflict, such as unlawful and disproportionate use of force by the military, unlawful detention of persons, inhuman treatment, […]

Problems in the border areas

By | January 12th, 2012|Categories: Opinion|Tags: |

After the Russia-Georgian conflict of August war 2008 the administrative boundary line still remains as one of the most widely discussed issues for international and Georgian society. Before August 2008 Ossetians and Georgians travelled freely from one side to another, but since October 2008 when South Ossetia closed the administrative boundary line (ABL), which [...]

Three detained Georgians released

By | October 9th, 2011|Categories: News, Security|Tags: |

The daily life of ordinary people continues to be plighted by borders which were drawn unilaterally by Russia in 2008.