The EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) is aware of the death of Ms. Margo Martiashvili from Akhalgori district. The EUMM-managed Hotline was not activated in this case. Our thoughts are with her family.
Such tragic instances show the potential impact of the severe restrictions in place on the freedom of movement for the local population in Akhalgori valley. The main crossing point to South Ossetia and the Akhalgori Valley - normally seeing around 400 crossings daily - has been totally closed since 5 September. This is depriving local communities of prompt and adequate medical care. It is also affecting livelihoods in other negative ways. The Mission is monitoring these developments closely.
To prevent further hardship it is important that restrictions are lifted as soon as possible and for a humanitarian approach to prevail in handling individual cases. The EUMM has made its position clear on these points at recent Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meetings in Ergneti.