Georgia’s Public Defender highlights “pressing challenges”of occupation on August war anniversary

Levan Ioseliani, Georgia’s Public Defender, on Wednesday said sixteen years after the Russia-Georgia war, the “devastating impact” on citizens living near the occupation line remained a pressing concern.

“Sixteen years later, we are still forced to talk about the occupation, which continues to have a devastating effect on the people living here,” Ioseliani told the press. “This devastation spans from security concerns to displacement issues, and is exacerbated by periodic escalations, such as the tragic incident in Kirbali, where Tamaz Ginturi was killed.”

According to the Office of the Public Defender of Georgia, villagers identified the lack of access to irrigation water as a primary issue. They also expressed a need for special equipment to cultivate their land effectively.

Other challenges included the absence of facilities for youth, such as a stadium or cultural center, and a lack of awareness about available state services.

“The Public Defender remains committed to monitoring the situation in villages near the occupation line and advocating for solutions to the critical challenges faced by the local population,” the Public Defender’s office concluded.