Rights advocate criticises Georgian Gov’t silence over detention of civic activist in Russian-controlled Tskhinvali

The head of the Democracy Research Centre, Ucha Nanuashvili, has criticised Georgian authorities for failing to publicly respond to the detention of a Georgian civil activist in the Russian-controlled region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).

Speaking to local media on Tuesday, Nanuashvili said the Georgian state should have been the first to inform the public about the case and to raise it at an international level.

“The state should have been the one to notify society,” he said. “There should already have been official statements, international organisations involved, and clear, public discussion about the violation of a Georgian activist’s rights.”

He added that no such response has so far been heard from the authorities.

Nanuashvili said the arrest reflected growing intolerance by what he described as the “occupation regime” towards even limited criticism within the region, particularly at a time of heightened sensitivity.

He described as “absurd” the accusation of espionage against the activist, noting that she has also openly criticised the Georgian authorities for what he called their indifference and ineffective policies towards Tskhinvali, including the protection of the rights of residents of Akhalgori.

Tamar Mearakishvili, a civil activist from Akhalgori, was detained in the occupied region. She has been accused of espionage and faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison if convicted.