The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum Georgian National Platform strongly condemns the fact of deprivation of life of Giga Otkhozoria, citizen of Georgia, at so-called border checkpoint of Khurcha-Nabakevi village, Zugdidi.

According to media information, on May 19, 2016, G. Otkhozoria, inhabitant of village Bargebi, Gali region, was trying to transport products at so called border checkpoint of Khurcha-Nabakevi village, when he had a quarrel with so-called border-guard. Following the quarrel the so-called border-guard has shot him several times. Giga Otkhozoria died the same day as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. At the same time, video footage was released later that day that shows how so-called border-guards cross the Georgian-controlled territory, at first physically abuse G. Otkhozoria and then shoot him. 

On May 21, 2016, General Prosecutors Office of Georgia made a statement regarding launching criminal case against so-called border-guard Rashid Kanjioghli for the premeditated murder of G. Otkhozoria and illegal carrying and transportation of firearms.

The abovementioned fact represents deprivation of the right to life and international legal liability lies on Russian Federation, as the State conducting effective control on occupied Abkhazia region. It also should be noted that on November 22, 2014, an agreement was signed between Russia and Abkhazia region on Alliance and Integration. The mentioned document, together with other issues, regulates the issue of joint protection of the so-called administrative boundary line between Abkhazia and the rest of Georgia. Based on the abovementioned agreement Russian Federation controls this so-called administrative boundary line with border troops.

Additionally we would like to admit, that the mentioned fact reveals the alarming situation in occupied Abkhazia region in terms of human rights and ones more exposes serious problems of security on so-called administrative boundary line. Facts of gross violation of human rights in occupied Abkhazia region and difficult conditions of population is also described in details by Public Defender of Georgia in his parliamentary report on the Situation of the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms in Georgia 2015.

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum Georgian National Platform extends condolences to the family of Giga Otkhozoria. And Urges:

Government of Georgia:

• Conduct effective and thorough investigation of the fact of deprivation of life of Giga Otkhozoria as soon as possible;
• Ensure the security of citizens of Georgia living nearby so-called administrative boundary line;
• Ensure the discussion regarding the incident in Khurcha on the international level and take effective steps for strengthening security mechanisms or activating some more additional security tools for so-called administrative border line (ABL) as well as in the occupied territories;
• Use all available diplomatic and international mechanisms to held Russian Federation responsible for this specific crime and to prevent the facts of deprivation of lives of citizens of Georgia in future;
• Held regular meeting in frames of preventing incidents in Gali region and responding on them;

International community:

Intensify efforts, including with Russian federation

• in order to ensure presence of representatives of international organizations in region;
• in order to ensure security of citizens of Georgia living nearby so-called administrative boundary line.

Signatory Organizations:

1. Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA)

2. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI)

3. European Initiative - Liberal Academy Tbilisi

4. Transparency International Georgia (TI)

5. Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies

6. Open Society Georgia Foundation

7. Local Democracy Agency Georgia

8. Human Rights Centre

9. "Women Enterprise" Fund Georgia

10. Foundation ”Multi- Ethnic Resource Centre on Civic Education Development”

11. Center of Development and Democracy (CDD)

12. Union "Anti-Violence Network of Georgia"

13. Caucasus Environmental NGO network (CENN)

14. World Experience for Georgia

15. Georgian Trade Union Confederation

16. Peaceful and Business Caucasus

17. IDP Association "Consent"

18. "School-Family-Society" Association

19. Foundation “Caucasus Environment"

20. Georgian Association "Woman in Business"

21. People’s Harmonious Development Society

22. Civil Council on Defense and Security Issues

23. Institute for Euro-Atlantic integration and strategic studies

24. Association "Psychea"

25. Association for the efficient use of the Georgian energy resources

26. Association European Studies for Innovative Development in Georgia

27. Association "Atinati"

28. Cultural-Humanitarian Fund "Sukhumi”

29. Student Youth Council

30. International Society "Caucasian Mosaic"

31. Civil Society and Democracy Development Center

32. Youth Alternative

33. EU-Georgia Business Council

34. Human Rights House Tbilisi

35. Public Advocacy

36. Healthy World

37. Youth for Justice - Georgia

38. Union "Healthy Children"

39. Association of Tea Producers Georgia “Georgian Tea”

40. Caucasian House Georgia

41. Enterprise Innovation Development Center

42. Save The Future Generation

43. Bridge of Friendship – Kartlosi

44. Georgian Institute of Politics

45. Junior achievement of Georgia

46. Association "Imedi"

47. United Public Movement "Multinational Georgia"

48. Association "MERKURI"

49. Partnership For Road Safety

50. Teachers' Union "Education and Universe"

51. Union "Article 42 of the Constitution"

52. Georgia Press Association

53. Studio "Re"

54. Young socialists of Georgia

The Greens Movement of Georgia

56. Georgian Association of Regional Broadcasters

57. Association for the Farmers' Rights Defence

58. Women’s Information Centre

59. Civitas Georgica

60. Association DEA for Disabled Women and Mothers of Disabled Children

61. Women's Initiatives supporting Group

62. Caucasus Institute for Economic and Social Research

63. Repatriates' Union

64. International Center of Geopolitical research

65. European Integration Forum

66. International Center for Advancement of Research, Technology & Innovation (ICARTI)

67. International Business Development and Investment Promotion Centre

68. International Business and Economic Development Centre

69. International Fund of Sustainable Development

70. International Center on Conflict and Negotiation

71. Community Development Association

72. Community Foundation GENIUS LOCI

73. Civil Society Institute

74. Gori Information Center

75. Human Rights Priority

76. Europe Foundation

77. Journalism Recourse Centre