Georgian State Security Service officially confirmed three people died while crossing from the territory of Russia-occupied Abkhazia. Three civilians tried to cross the Enguri River into the territory controlled by the central government of Georgia.

The state agency reports that the Georgian government and the international partners would call the occupation regime responsible for all incidents and facts of the unlawful restrictions on free movement and illegal detention.

“Three Georgian citizens living in the occupied Gali district tried to cross the occupation line near the Shamgona and Tagiloni villages across the Enguri River into the territory controlled by the Georgian central government to avoid illegal detentions practised by the Russian occupation regime. All three died while crossing the Enguri River.

Their death is the outcome of the illegal restrictions on free movement and the detrimental practice of unlawful detentions by the occupation regime. The incident once again demonstrated the inhumane and criminal essence of the occupation processes, for which the Russian Federation bears full responsibility. The unlawful regulations and restrictions on free movement significantly impede the daily lives of the locals. Many of them have lost their lives. The Georgian government and the international partners would call the occupation regime responsible for all incidents and facts of the unlawful restrictions on free movement and illegal detention.

Georgian central government activated a hotline, informed the European Union Monitoring Mission and the co-chairs of the Geneva talks of this incident. The issue will be discussed most urgently within all existing formats,” the statement reads.