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Demarcation of the So-Called Border Renewed in Jariasheni Village

February 10, 2015
 
Lado Bitchashvili, Shida Kartli

Russian and Ossetian military units renewed demarcation works of the so-called border in the occupied territory. After the barbed wire fence was set in Jariasheni village in Gori district, part of local agricultural plots is now in the occupied territory. As residents of Jariasheni say, the occupation line has moved forwarded 35 meters into the village territory and is stretched along 1 kilometer.  Russian soldiers do not allow locals to cultivate the plots located close to the wire-fence though they are within Georgian controlled territory.

“When we went to cultivate the plots, five men came and demanded us to leave the place or bring 500 lari to them; otherwise they threatened with taking us to Tskhinvali. Spring is coming and they do not allow us to cultivate plots. We urge for help but nobody assists us,” said local Mziuri Gogiashvili.

Several days ago, Russian soldiers seized agricultural instrument from the locals, when they approached the occupation line and expelled them from their own plots.

“A man was working in his plot and Russian soldiers seized hand-tractor, so called moto block, from him,” representative of the district governor in the village Davit Tatiashvili said.

Locals said the so-called border moves forward every day in Jariasheni village.

“In the past these plots belonged to us and we worked on them. They are moving forward every day. Somebody should assist us; we are already poor in similar situation. The main income for the local population of Jariasheni is harvest from the gardens,” said local resident Dimitri Tevdorashvili.

Jariasheni village population petitioned to the government to open a police post in their village to ensure security of local inhabitants when they cultivate their plots. 

“Let any representative of the government arrive here at least once and see our problems. If we do not work in our plots, the villagers will remain without food. We live in fear, so we request attention from the government. They must open posts as soon as possible,” local Tamar Kapanadze said.

Founder of the nongovernmental organization for Independence and Euro-Integration Andro Barnov learned the situation in the village on the place and called on the government of Georgia to react on the locals’ problems.

“People urge for help and nobody from the government has arrived here to study the situation on the place. In addition to that, Russians continue impunity. People live under serious threat. I hope the government will react on it. I call on the government to timely address the problems of local people,” said Andro Barnov.

“As soon as we know that our visit in the village will resolve the problem, I will go there,” State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality responded to the question of the journalists about the possible visit in Jariasheni to study the situation on the place. Minister Zakareishvili denied information about moving the occupation line, but about police post in the village, he said it is not within the competence of his ministry.

“I do not confirm moving the border line because there is no border there; neither so-called border exists there. As for the police post, it must be settled either by the Security Council or MIA,” State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Paata Zakareishvili said.

Russian and Ossetian soldiers intensified patrolling alongside the occupation line after they finished demarcation works of the so-called border. Population of Jariasheni village requests immediate support from the government. 

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