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Inhabitants of Karbi Village vs Russia Federation in European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg

September 15, 2008

Saba Tsitsikashvili,Gori


The Red Cross Community/Society distributed burial sacks to the inhabitants of Karbi village for burying those that have been put to rest outside the village cemetery. Vasiko Tevdorashvili, the village representative stated that there are a total of 6 bodies buried throughout the village. Two out of 6 died soon after having been placed in hospital for injuries. All six were buried by villagers in yards without coffins in shallow quickly dug graves.

The quick burials were because of high temperatures and the fact that the villagers did not have time to properly bury bodies in light of the security situation resulting from the war. There is also a high possibility of a public health epidemic spreading in afflicted villages. Consequently, the inhabitants of Mereti village addressed the international community for assistance in solving the problem. In particular, they have requested special body bags for transporting corpses from yards so that the villagers can properly bury them in the cemetery.

The village of Karbi is in Mereti village Municipality. Karbi suffered the most damaged village among villages in the Gori District with lost of life.

Vasiko Tevdorashvili, village representative: “Now exists a “tensed calmness” in the village. Those from here under 30 are fearful to return. However, nearly everyone with the exception of children and youngsters already returned to their village. Nonetheless there still exists a high degree of tension remains as no one knows when the Ossetians may again enter the village and continue looting or worst. However, the transport moves normally.”

-How many houses are damaged? They say Karbi was a military base ….

-In total about 25 houses have been destroyed. Several are burned or completely destroyed from bombs. All the rest have either damaged roofs or windows. I confirm your information that Karbi is among the most damaged villages in Gori district.

-What do the repatriated villagers eating?

-Shops are closed. There are two reasons for this: Firstly it is difficult to bring products from Gori into the village and secondly because the looters will start robbing the moment that something appears in the small shops. We bring humanitarian aid from Gori. Unfortunately, we cannot bring food on daily basis but the villagers receive some flour, pasta, and oil every two days.”

Tevdorashvili, a village representative, who is about 30 year old young man who chose not to leave his home during the conflict period states that the tensed situation is a stumbling block and stand in the way of everything. Karbi’s inhabitants who live in the city of camps up to present time state that the moment they return to their village they will start cultivating land and harvesting in order to recover from the current situation.

Upwards of Georgian NGOs will sue Russian in European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg based on the appeals of the citizens who have incurred losses during the recent conflict between the Russian Federation and Georgia. Karbi’s inhabitants want to sue in Strasbourg in seeking compensation for both material and moral damages. 

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