US: murder of Georgian citizen by Russian occupation forces “stark example” caused by occupation

Matthew Miller, the US Department of State Spokesperson, on Monday responded to the murder of Georgian citizen Tamaz Ginturi by the Russian-controlled occupation forces in the Kirbali village of central Georgia, and said it was a “stark example” of the destruction caused by the continued occupation of sovereign Georgian lands. 

 

The official also extended his condolences to the local man, who was reportedly killed in an illegal attempt of kidnapping while near a church, while another man who accompanied him was abducted. 

 

In his reaction shortly after the incident, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili called it the “most heinous act”. 

 

“This incident reaffirms the dire security situation on the ground and bears witness to the severe consequences of occupation; unfortunately, along with the Georgian Government, peaceful citizens are also forced to deal with these consequences”, he said. 

 

He stressed “all relevant mechanisms” had been set in motion, and international partners had been “duly informed”. 

 

“Active work is underway to ensure the prompt release of another Georgian citizen illegally detained by the occupant forces. We urge the international community to duly assess and respond to the incident and call on the occupation regime’s representatives to cooperate with all parties in order to identify and punish the culprit”, Garibashvili said. 

 

Irakli Antadze, the Deputy Head of the Analytical Department of the Georgian State Security Service, on Monday claimed the Government  had demanded “immediate release” of a Georgian citizen illegally detained by occupation forces, and punishment of offenders in an Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism Meeting in Ergneti.