A Georgian citizen has been detained in the occupied Tskhinvali region on spying, the press service of the de facto Prosecutor’s Office reported. It did not disclose the individual’s identity, though reportedly, the Georgian citizen is Tamar Mearakishvili.

“Investigation determined that the Georgian citizen, who entered the territory of South Ossetia, was collecting and transmitting information about strategically important objects of the republic, thereby posing a threat to the security of the country,” reads the statement.

A criminal case has been initiated under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code. The charge of espionage envisages a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison.

“The individual is detained, further investigation is in progress to reveal other accomplices of the crime,” the de facto Tskhinvali Prosecutor’s Office said.