Georgia raises concerns over imprisoned citizens by Russian-controlled occupation forces at Ergneti security meeting

At the latest meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Ergneti, near the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region, Georgian officials raised concerns over the imprisonment of two Georgian citizens and the continued detentions along the occupation line.

Following the 123rd IPRM meeting, Irakli Antadze, Deputy Director of the Analytical Department of Georgia’s State Security Service, confirmed that Iason Gengiuri and Sergo Merebashvili had been sentenced to two years and six months in prison by the de facto authorities in Tskhinvali. Four more Georgian citizens are currently awaiting trial.

Antadze condemned the sentencing as illegal and reassured the public that Georgia is actively working to secure their release.

“There have been cases in the past when longer so-called imprisonment was imposed, but using the existing negotiation formats, our fellow citizens returned to their families,” he said.

The murder of Tamaz Ginturi by Russian-controlled forces near the village of Kirbali in Gori municipality was also brought up during the discussions. Antadze reiterated that justice for Ginturi and all Georgian citizens killed along the occupation line remains a priority for the government.

Ginturi, 58, was fatally shot by Russian forces on November 6, 2023, while another Georgian, Levan Dotiashvili, 33, was abducted but later released. The Georgian government has launched an investigation under Articles 109 and 143 of the Criminal Code, covering intentional murder and unlawful deprivation of liberty.

The European Parliament condemned Ginturi’s murder in a resolution passed on November 23, 2023, demanding an investigation, punishment for the perpetrators, and the release of illegally detained Georgian citizens.