Tbilisi says Russia illegally detains three Georgian citizens near occupied Tskhinvali One released

The State Security Service of Georgia has issued a statement regarding the illegal detention of three Georgian citizens by Russian authorities near the village of Khurvaleti, located in the area adjacent to the administrative boundary line with the occupied Tskhinvali region of Georgia.

The statement reads that the detentions occurred on May 20. One of the detained individuals has already been released and safely returned to the territory controlled by the central Georgian authorities. However, the other two remain in custody, which the Georgian side classifies as unlawful, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media outlets.

Immediately upon receiving information about the incident, the SSSG activated the “hotline” mechanism. Additionally, the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions — a platform established after the August 2008 war to address security issues and humanitarian consequences of the conflict — were informed, along with Georgia’s key international partners.

In its statement, the SSSG emphasises that the responsibility for such incidents, and for any destructive actions carried out either in the uncontrolled territories or along the administrative line, lies with the party exercising de facto control in those areas. According to Georgian authorities, these detentions constitute violations of international humanitarian law, threaten regional security, and contribute to a further escalation of tensions.

Such incidents are not isolated. In recent years, the unlawful detention of Georgian citizens near the administrative boundary line has occurred regularly, raising concerns in both Tbilisi and the international community. The Georgian side insists on the necessity of adhering to the agreements reached within the Geneva format, including the prevention of arbitrary detentions and the safeguarding of the local population’s freedom of movement.

By Khagan Isayev