Georgian citizen detained in occupied Gali on allegations of espionage

A Georgian citizen, Shalva Khizanishvili, has been detained in the village of Shashikvara, in the Russian-occupied Gali district of Abkhazia.

According to the region’s Russian-controlled State Security Service, Khizanishvili was accused of “spying for Georgia.” The agency claimed that during a search, authorities allegedly found three firearms, ammunition, and a military backpack containing food supplies, a Georgian ID card, cash, and bank cards issued by Georgian banks.

They also reported discovering a package “containing an explosive device.” The body stated that Khizanishvili admitted to having contacts with Georgian intelligence services and to filming a Russian FSB border post in Abkhazia “in exchange for monetary compensation”.

A criminal case has reportedly been launched against him by the de facto authorities.