European observers in Georgia arrested by South Ossetians

(B2) Disturbing incident at the border boundary with South Ossetia in Georgia on Thursday (October 24). European observers were arrested by South Ossetian 'soldiers'

Interception by South Ossetian armed agents

« On the afternoon of October 24, a patrol of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) was briefly held by armed security agents from South Ossetia, while carrying out a patrol in Chorchana-Tsnelisi area “Indicates a statement from the mission shared with B2.

Increased nervousness

This incident is the sign of a certain nervousness. We had already noticed these tensions during the summer with the establishment of a harder physical border on certain points of the 'border' limit (read: Renewed tensions between South Ossetia and Georgia. The 'bordering' in question), precisely in the same area of ​​Chorchana.

European concern

Head of the EU Mission Erik Hoeg expressed his " deep concern " in front of this situation " where armed security agents prevent EUMM observers from carrying out their daily activities in accordance with their mandate [...] in an area considered to be within the territory administered by Tbilisi, in accordance with the traditional interpretation of the administrative boundary in that area ».

Emergency line activated

After these incidents, EUMM significantly increased its patrols to support stability in the Chorchana-Tsnelisi region. The emergency hotline with Tskhinvali (seat of the local government of South Ossetia) has been activated. The incident will be discussed at the technical meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), this Friday in Ergneti.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

NB: EUMM Georgia was set up in 2008 in record time, according to a Medvedev-Sarkozy agreement, in order to be a neutral intermediary of observation between the forces of the pro-Russian secessionist provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia , and Georgia.