Reports from Akhalgori district indicate a near-weekly occurrence of
searches and interrogations carried out in the homes of local residents.
According to locals, these actions are conducted by individuals arriving from
Tskhinvali together with officers of the so-called KGB.
Last week, a search was conducted at the home of a local man. Although he is
ethnically Ossetian and does not travel to the territory controlled by the
Georgian authorities, his wife does periodically cross the so-called border.
According to available information, law enforcement officers removed mobile
phones from the household and thoroughly inspected the residence, without
providing any explanation.
A similar incident was reported at another household, where a male resident,
currently unemployed, had recently returned following a medical procedure in
Tbilisi. Shortly after his return, his home, basement, and yard were searched,
and his mobile phone was likewise confiscated. No official explanations have
been given in either case.
Citing the stated motive of searching for weapons and narcotic substances,
another search was carried out at the home of a socially vulnerable family,
where only one member is employed and, due to severe economic hardship, the
children are being raised in institutional care. According to family members,
mobile phones were also confiscated during the search. A few days later, a
similar search was conducted at the home of a relative of the same family, who
lives in a border village.
It is noted that the searches are being carried out without warrants and are
not linked to any specific criminal investigation. Despite this, residents
reportedly do not offer resistance due to fear.
According to the assessments of local residents, similar practices have
existed in the past, although they now appear to be more widespread. Some
members of the community say they are unable to understand the purpose behind
these actions.
The ongoing developments have further deepened a sense of despair among the
people of Akhalgori. Mobile phones are often their only means of maintaining
contact with family members, including via video calls. The current practice
significantly restricts this possibility.
აფხაზეთის პოლიტიკურ
სივრცეში აქტიურად განიხილება ოპოზიციონერი ლიდერის, ადგურ არძინბას დაბრუნება და მისი
ბოლო პოლიტიკური განცხადებები, რომლებიც შიდა და გარე პოლიტიკურ პროცესებს ეხება.
The case of
former de facto deputies of South Ossetia’s de facto parliament, David Sanakoyev,
Garry Muldarov and Dzambolat Medoyev, who are appealing the decision to revoke
their citizenship of the Russian Federation, remains unresolved to date.
To silence critical media, “Georgian Dream” tries to use financial sanctions. Following several television, online and radio broadcasters, regional media have now also been affected.