Akhalgori’s Ossetians Punished over Good Relations with Georgians

Ossetian band formations that are illegally deployed in Akhalgori district go about assaulting and forcing out local Ossetians from the district because of their long standing good relationship with local Georgians.

Zurab Pitskhelauri, the head of Georgian administration in Akhalgori district reported to the Medianews that one of the groups of separatists is particularly aggressive and even de-facto authority of Akhalgori district wants to prevent them from being so aggressive.

“This group started assaulting local Ossetians because they have had good relationship with local Georgians for many years. Some local Ossetians were so severely beaten that had to be taken to hospital. Because of the existing situation Ossetians are also fleeing from the district. For example, those illegal formations raided and looted the villages of Kanchaveti and Korinta and consequently, only 5 % of their population has remained behind. Anatoli Margiev, de-facto governor of Akhalgori district promised me to kick that group out tomorrow because he is also interested maintaining peace in the district in order to attract people back to their homes. Margiev also grew up in this district and he loves Georgian people. However we cannot tell the same about Ilia Khubulov, a new chief of district police department. Margiev promised to replace him by a new chief who will be an actual resident of Akhalgori and will share a positive attitude towards Georgians. Margiev tries to create all possible opportunities for both Georgian and Ossetian people to come back to the district. Only people can act as a guarantee in maintaining stability,” said Zurab Pitskhelauri.