South Ossetia said to tighten restrictions on ethnic Georgians
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 November 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, South Ossetia said to tighten restrictions on ethnic Georgians, 4 November 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/548ea82c15.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 04, 2014
By RFE/RL's Georgian Service
Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region plans to tighten restrictions on freedom of movement for ethnic Georgians in the Akhalgori district.
Media reports in Georgia cited separatist authorities in South Ossetia as saying that as of January 1, 2015, the existing permits necessary for local Georgians to travel to Tbilisi-controlled proper will be replaced by South Ossetian "passports."
The reports said that to obtain such a passport, local Georgians must renounce their Georgian citizenship as well as refugee status.
The breakaway region's de-facto government also warned that those who refuse to renounce Georgian citizenship will have to abandon their houses in Akhalgori.
The Akhalgori District, mainly populated by ethnic Georgians, came under the full control of the separatist authorities in South Ossetia after Russian-Georgian military conflict over the region in August 2008.
Russia defied the West by recognizing South Ossetia as an independent country after the war and maintaining a strong military presence there.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
