Large-scale raid in occupied Tskhinvali: 11 arrested in alleged criminal activity

On the night of April 25, a large-scale special operation in the Russian-occupied South Ossetia (Tskhinvali) region resulted in the arrest of 11 individuals accused of involvement in “criminal activities.”

According to the de facto Ministry of Internal Affairs, three of the detainees were arrested inside a vehicle, where authorities discovered a Makarov pistol and ammunition. Additional searches at the suspects’ homes led to the seizure of more ammunition, 16 SIM cards, four fake registration plates, and two airline tickets to Moscow allegedly registered under the names of suspected members of the criminal group.

The de facto ministry stated that the operation was linked to an “attack on a high-ranking official,” but did not provide further details.

Local Telegram channels report that the special operation followed an incident involving armed individuals storming the office of Alexander Chochiev, head of the so called Customs Committee, where they allegedly made demands and assaulted him.

Around 100 officers reportedly participated in the operation.