Following the serious incident that took place close to the South Ossetian administrative boundary line on 18 May, resulting in civilian casualties, the EU Monitoring Mission has been gathering information from eyewitnesses, the local population, the local police and medical personnel about what may have occurred.
On the basis of the information available at this time, there appear to be inconsistencies and contradictions. On the key points, however, it is clear that two Georgian citizens were seriously wounded, one with life threatening injuries. As to the shooting itself, the Mission has so far found no information to substantiate the South Ossetian version that their border patrol came under fire and acted in self-defence.
EUMM has noted the statements about the incident from the Georgian Government and the de facto South Ossetian authorities. It has been in regular contact with the Russian Federation Border Guards and the de facto South Ossetian authorities through the “hotline”. The Mission also called and facilitated an ad hoc meeting in Dvani on 19 May, in the framework of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism, with representatives of the Georgian, Russian Federation and de facto South Ossetian authorities.
The Mission will continue to gather information surrounding this case, but whatever the circumstances, this incident raises important issues about the safety and security of civilians in areas close to the administrative boundary line. This will be raised at the next meeting of the IPRM on 17 June.
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Media Contacts:
Steve Bird + 995 91 22 7055
Joanna Zeber + 995 91 22 7046
