The de facto authorities of Georgia’s currently Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region this week claimed they had arrested a four-member criminal group for alleged smuggling of up to 50 tons of fuel and lubricants “on the territory of Georgia”.

The de facto Government said the fuel had been pumped through a water pipe of an inactive reclamation system, and added the detainees were expected to confess the crime. 

Russia recognized the two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent states after the 2008 war with Georgia, with only Venezuela, Nikaragua, Nauru and Syria joining the illegal stance so far. 

The rest of the international community calls on Moscow to withdraw its troops from the Georgian territory as outlined in the 2008 ceasefire agreement with Tbilisi brokered by France.