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Physical violence and repressions against oppositionists are increasing in Tskhinvali
17.01.2025

Recent incidents in Tskhinvali, in which physical force was used against opposition activists and journalists, demonstrate the repressive approach of the de facto government towards criticism and freedom of expression.

One of the latest of these incidents concerns the violence against Alexander Kelekhsaev, former editor-in-chief of the South Ossetia newspaper and a member of the opposition party United Ossetia. According to reports, Kelekhsaev became a victim of physical violence in the evening hours due to a slightly ironic comment on a social network regarding the increase in utility bills. Neither de facto president Alan Gagloev nor the so-called government was mentioned in the comment. According to Kelekhsaev, shortly after posting the comment, two unknown individuals came to his house and physically forced him get into a car. Kelekhsaev was taken to the so-called president’s office, where Alan Gagloev showed him an excerpt from his written comment and stated that it was part of an “information war.” On January 14, Aleksandr Kelekhsaev wrote on Facebook that he had met with de facto president Alan Gagloev and received guarantees that the perpetrators would be punished. However, he also noted that he did not want to punish them to the full extent of the law and was going to withdraw his application from the prosecutor’s office. Kelekhsaev noted that they had settledan issue and similar incidents would not be repeated in the future.

Another incident of violence occurred against Konstantin Pliev, the so-called independent deputy in the de facto parliament. According to reports, Pliev, who was trying to defuse a conflict, was physically assaulted by representatives of the so-called ruling party Nykhas. Pliev claimed that his injury was not politically motivated, as he was only trying to defuse a conflict between the parties. However, according to the social media, he was physically assaulted by state security officers. Pliev and his family were threatened with physical violence if they made the fact public. In the end, the incident became public and, according to reports, Pliev was forced to publish a “consoling text” that no one believed. According to unconfirmed reports, like Kelekhsaev, Pliev was also taken to Gagloev’s office. People on social media are expressing concern, linking the facts against Pliev and Kelekhsaev to each other, and writing that the government of the so-called republic has openly launched repressions.

The violence against Kelekhsaev and Pliev has been met with a strong reaction from the so-called opposition parties. Atsamat Bibilov, the leader of the United Ossetia party, strongly condemned the violence and recalled previous cases when similar incidents were carried out against other individuals, including former prosecutor Alan Kulumbegov. According to him, the so-called president, Alan Gagloev, must respect citizens’ rights protected by the so-called constitution.

Many people on social networks are concerned that such incidents could create an even more difficult political situation. The population is critical of Alan Gagloev’s actions and is extremely concerned that he may follow the “Kadyrov” path. The facts that have occurred and the political dynamics behind them clearly indicate that the political tone in South Ossetia is sharply increasing, and repressions may continue on a larger scale. 

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