The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia appeals to the Co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions to make due and timely reaction, with the aim to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of Archil Tatunashvili, immediately release detainees and give appropriate reaction to this grave fact, for which the Russian Federation is directly responsible, as a force exercising full control on the ground, – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia stated. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia expresses deep sorrow over the death of citizen of Georgia Archil Tatunashvili in Tskhinvali detained by Russian occupation regime on February 22, 2018 and expresses condolences to his family.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns the death of Archil Tatunashvili followed after unlawful activities of the occupation regime and according to the existing information, the detention of two more Georgian citizens Levan Kutashvili and Ioseb Pavliashvili.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia appeals to the Co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions to make due and timely reaction, with the aim to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of Archil Tatunashvili, immediately release detainees and give appropriate reaction to this grave fact, for which the Russian Federation is directly responsible, as a force exercising full control on the ground.

Such illegal actions by the occupation regime, victims of which become Georgian citizens, reveals the necessity of immediate creation of international security and human right mechanisms on the ground.

Intensified illegal provocative steps by the Russian Federation, including eradication of barbed-wire fences and other artificial barriers along the occupation line, restriction of freedom of movement and detentions, human rights violations and ethnic discrimination further complicates severe security and humanitarian situation on the ground, deliberately hinders the process of peaceful conflict resolution presents a source of instability and a threat to Georgia as well as the whole region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia appeals to the international community to give due assessment to the tragic incident as well as actions taken by the Russian occupation regime and give a proper reaction”, – the statement released by the Ministry reads.