Элина Габараева

March 11, the released citizens of the Republic, convicted on trumped-up charges in Georgia arrived in South Ossetia. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia Kazbulat Tskhovrebov told the news agency "Res" about the work on their release for 11 years.

- Four citizens of South Ossetia, after 11 years of imprisonment in Georgia have returned home. What kind of work was carried out during these years, what measures taken to release them?

- Indeed, our citizens had to spend difficult 11 years in Georgian prisons. All these years South Ossetia declared the illegality of their detention and imprisonment and demanded their release. South Ossetian representatives constantly raised this issue in the format of the Joint Control Commission, as well as at other platforms. However, due to the unconstructive position of the Georgian side and apparent unwillingness to take responsibility for the decision, even not political, but purely humanitarian questions, there was not any serious progress to resolve the issue. In this regard, I want to recall with gratitude the efforts of representatives of the civil society of South Ossetia, first of all, Lyra Kozaeva, who also addressed this issue, and largely achieved better results than the official structures of the Republic. In particular, they assisted in organization of meetings with relatives and officials, in transferring of requests to the Georgian state authorities.

- On the international platforms - the Geneva discussions on security and stability in Transcaucasia and meetings in the format of mechanisms to prevent and respond to incidents, attended by representatives of South Ossetia, it was repeatedly raised the question of the illegally condemned South Ossetian citizens, serving sentences in Georgian prisons. How this work influenced on the course of events?

- The South Ossetian delegation at the Geneva discussions regularly raised the issue of prisoners. It is important to raise such questions at such international platforms; it stresses the importance and urgency of their solution for the Republic of South Ossetia. It was in Geneva in backroom talks, when for the first time we saw the prospect of solving this issue, and then practically implemented. In this regard, I would also like to thank all colleagues in the Geneva discussions and appreciation for the work the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Ossetia to the Republic of Abkhazia Oleg Botsiev.

- You yourself took part directly in the process of exchange of South Ossetian citizens in Abkhazia that was a truly historic event. What were your feelings at that moment?

- It is an unforgettable experience. When I opened the door of the minibus with our guys from Georgia, saying that they are free, they did not say a word and did not move because they did not believe in what was happening. I had to once again repeat it, but my heart at that moment was bleeding. And it is an indescribable state, when you are in the mother's arms, thanking "for the salvation of her son." These feelings will be with me forever.

- Most of the work to release the illegally convicted citizens of South Ossetia in Georgia has been done - our citizens have returned home. What support will be provided for rehabilitation of these citizens?

- From the Fund of the President South Ossetia and the Fund of the Government of South Ossetia are allocated funds for the initial needs of the liberated citizens. The guys are with their relatives. I think that in the native environment rehabilitation will take place as quickly as possible. If they need support or participation of the President or the Government in solving specific problems, I'm sure they can count on it.

- How many prisoners - citizens of South Ossetia are in Georgian prisons?

- At the time of the exchange we did not have any information about the other citizens of the Republic of South Ossetia imprisoned in Georgia. But now we have the information that may be the list is incomplete. This information should be checked. To date we have not received any information both from the relatives or the official authorities of Georgia. Several our citizens are listed as missing, but it is another area of work.

On the Cathedral square in Tskhinval took place the ceremony of laying flowers on the monument to the defenders of Ossetia. The ceremony was attended by the leadership of the Republic headed by President Leonid Tibilov, Prime Minister Domenti Kulumbegov, MPs led by Speaker Anatoly Bibilov, the staff of ministries and agencies, members of the South Ossetian State University headed by the rector Vadim Tedeev and representatives of law enforcement agencies and the public.

President Leonid Tibilov congratulated on the upcoming Defender of the Fatherland Day, noting the significance of this date for each citizen of South Ossetia.

"Defender of the Fatherland Day is a day that is significant to each of us, - Tibilov said. - Our people have undergone many severe trials on the path to freedom and recognition of the independence of our country, but we have overcome all the difficulties due to the support and assistance of the Russian Federation. "

Speaker of the Parliament Anatoly Bibilov has also congratulated representatives of the security, defence and law enforcement agencies on the upcoming holiday, wishing them peace and prosperity.

"This is a holiday for all those who defended their homeland, - said Bibilov. – We will always remember the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the sake of peace in South Ossetia. "

It should be noted that the celebration events in South Ossetia are canceled due to the death of the head of North Ossetia Tamerlan Aguzarov.

President LeonidTibilovmetwith Deputy Prime Minister of the RussianFederation – Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federationin the North Caucasian Federaldistrict, Alexander Khloponin.
Leonid Tibilovhas notedthat 2015was not easy forSouth Ossetia, and the Republic's leadershipworkedfruitfullyin the implementationof the Investment program.

"Today will be a regular meetingof the IGC.Wehave worked on the draft Protocolandon other issuesthat will be considered at the meeting- saidTibilov. - I think the workwill be fruitful, and the plans for 2016, will serve strengtheningand development of the Republic".

The Head of State also spoke about the work of the Accounts Chambers of the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Ossetia.
"In South Ossetia within three weeks were working Accounts Chambersof the Russian Federationand the Republic of South Ossetia,
. - I think we will not reveal the misuse of funds, and we will justify the trust of our strategic partner - the Russian Federation. "

In turn, Alexander Khloponin has emphasized that the Russian Federation has been fulfilling all the obligations in relation to South Ossetia - "This is strict instructions of President Vladimir Putin."

"The tasks that you, together with Vladimir Putin put before us with respect to the Investment program for the development of the territory are performed. We are grateful to the leadership of the Republic for the efficient work and are interested in the following years to introduce more objects in the Investment program", - concluded Khloponin.

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On the invitation of the Russian counterpart Vladimir Medinsky, Minister of Culture of South Ossetia Madina Ostaeva is taking part in the IV St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum. The forum takes place December 14 -16 in the northern capital of Russia.
The Forum is dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the founding of UNESCO.
The leadership of the Ministry of Culture participates in the St. Petersburg forum every year .
The IV St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum is held in accordance with the decree of the Russian government and is aimed at the preservation and development of Russian culture and supporting cultural initiatives at the regional, federal and international levels, to promote international cooperation in the field of culture.
The Forum participants are heads and representatives of the leading cultural institutions in Russia and abroad, federal and regional executive and legislative bodies, the heads of the leading Russian companies and businessmen from Russia and foreign countries, Russian and foreign experts in the field of culture and others.

The forum will include about 190 events, - "Theatre", "Music", "Museums and exhibition projects", "Literature and reading", "Preservation of Cultural Heritage", "Mass Communications", "Education" and others.
In honor of the 70th anniversary of UNESCO, were invited experts from international organizations: Goodwill Ambassadors, members of committees, representatives of foreign expert community.
The opening ceremony of the Forum is being held in the new building of the Mariinsky Theatre. The welcoming speeches will be made by the top officials and foreign guests. December 16, the sections will complete their work, and the closing ceremony at the Mikhailovsky Theater will summarize the work of the forum.

Today Abkhazia is celebrating its main holiday - Independence Day, the 22nd anniversary of the Victory in the 1992-1993 Patriotic War.
There is no a family in the Republic, where the holiday is celebrated without a heavy heart. This day in a history of Abkhazia is the anniversary of the liberation of the capital of Abkhazia from Georgian troops. During the September 1993 attack, the battles for the Republic's capital Sukhum, which lasted 11 days, determined the overall outcome of the Patriotic war of Abkhazia.
September 30, 1993 the whole country was liberated from Georgian troops. Every year on this day, the veterans of the Georgian-Abkhazian recall those events, visiting the graves commemorating their fallen comrades.
By tradition, on September 30 in the capital of the Republic is held a parade, festivities on the seafront of the city of Sukhum, and throughout the country - celebrations.
As part of activities dedicated to this important date at 11:00 took place a solemn ceremony of laying wreaths and flowers at the memorial to fallen soldiers in the Park of Glory and then took place a military parade of the Defense Ministry troops and the 7th Russian military base deployed in Gudauta.
At 13:00 were laid flowers at the memorial complex of the first president of the Republic of Abkhazia Vladislav Ardzinba in the village of Eschera, Sukhum district.
At 15:00 took place a ceremony of laying flowers at the tomb of the second president of the Republic of Abkhazia Sergei Bagapsh in the village of Dzhgyarda, Ochamchira district.
In the evening, at 17:00 in the Abkhazian State Philharmonic Society will take place a solemn meeting and a concert dedicated to the 22nd anniversary of the Victory in the 1992 - 1993 Great Patriotic War of the Abkhaz people. After the official part it will take place a concert and the performance of the State Dancing Group of South Ossetia "Simd."
Events on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the victory will continue theatrical performance with elements of reconstruction of the events of the Patriotic War of the 1992-1993 Abkhaz people, which will begin at 18:30 on Freedom Square in Sukhum.
The 1992-1993 Patriotic War of the Abkhaz people, which lasted 413 days, ended with a victory over the Georgian aggressor. On the Abkhaz side participated in the war to 12 thousand people.
According to the book of the candidate of history, military historian Valiko Pachulia " The 1992 – 1993 Georgian-Abkhazian war" were killed 1,392 fighters from Abkhazia, 106 - from Russia (without the republics of the North Caucasus), 133 - volunteers from the North Caucasus, 18 - from the CIS, Transnistria and Nagorno-Karabakh, 6 - from Turkey, 3 - from Syria, 1 - from Poland. 150 people are still listed the missing.
Hundreds of civilians - women, the elderly and children have become the victims of the bloody war. Only in a helicopter, downed by the Georgian guards over the village of Lata (Kodori gorge), December 14, 1992, 85 people were burned alive.
For courage and bravery shown in the battle, more than 6000 war veterans were presented high state awards, 360 soldiers awarded the title of Hero of Abkhazia, among them volunteers from South Ossetia.

South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov has received a delegation of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR).
The meeting was attended by the head of the Presidential Executive Office Alan Dzhioev, the head of the Official Representative of the PMR in South Ossetia Egor Kochiev, Deputy Chairman of the government of Transnistria, the head of the government of the PMR Alexander Kisnichan, the Chairman of the public chamber of the PMR Sergey Smerchansky, the head of the Department on the CIS countries Affairs of the Foreign Minister of the Republic Alexander Stetsyuk.
At the beginning of the meeting, Leonid Tibilov congratulated the guests on the 25th anniversary of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and wished all the people of the PMR peace, success and prosperity.
"South Ossetia and the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic are linked by the same fate of nations - the president said. - In the future, we will be strengthening relations between our countries. Today's celebration is a milestone event not only in the life of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, but also all the countries which have gone a long way to independence. "
The head of the PMR delegation Alexander Kisnichan stressed the importance of relations between the peoples of South Ossetia and Transnistria.
"The close relationship between the two countries and a long-standing friendship between our peoples tell a lot - said Kisnichan.- We had the same hard life for all these years and our peoples are united by the desire to live in peace and independence."
Alexander Kisnichan presented Leonid Tibilov with a state award of the PMR, an Order "For merits».
Leonid Tibilov presented to representatives of the delegation silver coins issued in commemoration of the 155th anniversary of a great Ossetian poet, playwright, journalist, social activist Kosta Khetagurov.

South Ossetia is celebrating the seventh anniversary of the recognition of independence of the Republic of South Ossetia.
People of South Ossetia have repeatedly been subjected to aggression by the southern neighbor - Georgia. Xenophobia and racism of the Georgian leadership have led to the repeated genocide of the South Ossetian people.
People of South Ossetia were always fighting with the Georgian Nazism.
January 19, 1992, the will of the people was expressed at the referendum.
May 29, 1992 the Supreme Council proclaimed the independence of South Ossetia and the establishment of the independent state.
November 12, at the second referendum, the South Ossetian people once again unanimously voted for the independence of South Ossetia.
For 18 year the constant armed conflict with Georgia, claiming to the territory of South Ossetia after the collapse of the USSR without any legal and historical grounds, led to large-scale hostilities in August 2008.
Hundreds of warriors have fallen on the field of battle in the name of freedom and independence of South Ossetia.
Russian Federation was the only real guarantee of security, support for the fragile peace, carrying out a peacekeeping mission in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, it once again stopped the attempt of the Georgian leadership, unprecedented in its cruelty, to destroy the population of South Ossetia.
August 26, 2008 the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev signed the Executive Order to recognize the independence and state sovereignty of South Ossetia and forcing the aggressor to peace ushered in a new milestone in the life of South Ossetians.
The recognition of the independence of South Ossetia by Russia is an outstanding event in the modern history and is a symbol of justice and the beginning of a new prosperous and free life!
Today, South Ossetia with the support of the Russian Federation is an independent and sovereign state. There are all conditions for the elimination of the consequences of the Georgian aggression and moving on the path of development and prosperity in conditions of security and stability.

Students of the South Ossetian State University took part in the All-Russian Youth Educational Forum "Tarida - 2015", which started on July 2 on the Black Sea coast of the Republic of Crimea.
As reported to the news agency "Res" by the Head of Delegation Bela Mamieva, the organizers of the trip were South Ossetian State University and the Committee on Youth Policy, Sports and Tourism of South Ossetia.
"The first part of the forum was devoted to the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory, - said Mamieva. – The Forum included an interesting and varied educational program, lectures, seminars and workshops, documentary films. For the participants of the Forum were organized meetings with Russian politicians, historians, journalists and cultural figures."
According to Mamieva, as part of the forum were also shown films about the tragedy in Beslan and South Ossetia, revealing the work of journalists in "hot spots".
In addition to the educational part the Forum has included sports crossfit competition, where our students Alan Gagloev, Rodion Dzhioev and Albert Gabatty ranked first.
At the gala concert "Taurida - 2015" our students Tatiana Tedeeva and Zarina Kokoeva also have shown their best.
The students have expressed their gratitude to the rector of the South Ossetian State University Vadim Tedeev and the Chairman of the Committee on Youth Policy, Sports and Tourism Sergey Zasseev for their assistance in organization and the opportunity to participate in the National Youth Educational Forum "Taurida - 2015".
The organizers of the event are the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, Rospatriottsentr Rosmolodёzh, the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation and the Commission for supporting youth initiatives of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.

South Ossetia is celebrating one of the most significant dates in modern history – the bringing of Mixed Peacekeeping Forces into the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.
The event began with the laying of wreaths and flowers at the Memorial Cross next to the burned-out building that housed the barracks of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in 2008. Flowers and wreaths were laid at the monument to the Hero of Russia, Major Denis Vetchinov, killed in South Ossetia in the battle to repel the August aggression, as well as at the monument to the fallen peacekeepers in the territory of the FSB Border Control Agency of the Russian Federation in South Ossetia.
The ceremony of laying flowers and wreaths was attended by President of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov, Speaker of the Parliament Anatoly Bibilov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to South Ossetia Elbrus Kargiev, members of the government, the leadership and the military personnel of the base, the former soldiers, participants in the events of 08.08.08, representatives of scientific intelligentsia and the public.
23 years ago, July 14, 1992 the peacekeeping forces entered into the territory of South Ossetia.
Then thousands of civilians had already become the victims of three years of Georgian aggression against South Ossetia, more than a hundred Ossetian villages were burned, more than 100 thousand Ossetians were expelled from their homes.
Peacekeepers, who managed to maintain peace for 16 years in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict before August 2008, were among the first attacked by Georgian troops invaded South Ossetia.
To rescue its peacekeepers and aid the people of South Ossetia, Russia conducted a military operation to force Georgia to peace.
August 26, 2008, Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia, and the mission of the Mixed Peacekeeping Forces was completed.
The peacekeepers Mission was continued by Russian servicemen and border guards.
In accordance with the Agreement on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, signed September 17, 2008 and the Agreement on joint efforts to protect the state border, April 30, 2009 in South Ossetia was formed the 4th Russian military base and the FSB Border Control Agency of the Russian Federation in South Ossetia.

Relatives and friends of the citizens of South Ossetia George Zasseev, Joseph Kochiev and George Valiev, serving life sentences in the Gldani prison in Gori, are concerned due to failure of the Georgian authorities’ promises about the retrial of the convicted persons.

From February 24 to March 29 George Zaseev, Joseph Kochiev and George Valiev went on hunger strike, hoping for a revision of the trumped-up cases, because of which they had been sentenced to life imprisonment. After 36 days the prison was visited by representatives of the Georgian Presidential Executive Office; they assured the hunger strikers, that their cases would be reviewed. The prisoners stopped the hunger strike two months ago, but their cases have not been reviewed.

Deputy Presidential Envoy of the RSO for post-conflict settlement Khokh Gagloyty commented the situation, noting that "South Ossetian citizens, imprisoned in Georgia, are the hostages of the Georgian authorities."
"Speaking about the fate of the South Ossetian citizens in Georgian prisons, whom the South Ossetian side believes the hostages of the Georgian authorities, we should talk about concrete personalities - said Gagloyty. - It concerns, primarily, the citizens of South Ossetia Kochiev, Valiev and Zasseev, who since July 2005 are kept in prison, sentenced to life imprisonment. It is no secret that the Georgian side, mainly referring to representatives of the so-called "power block" and the nationalist wing of the political establishment, is biased against our fellow citizens. The evidence of this fact is in their principled unwillingness to release them. "

Answering the question of the correspondent of the news agency "Res", whether the South Ossetian side raised the question of the review of the cases of the convicts sentenced to life imprisonment after the hunger strike, Gagloyty has noted that "South Ossetian delegation, constantly puts this question at all international forums, attended by the South Ossetian and Georgian sides."

"This applies to the Geneva international discussions and meetings in the framework of the IPRM - said Gagloyty. - In particular, at the last round of Geneva discussions South Ossetian delegation submitted to the co-chairs of the Geneva discussions the letter from the President of the Republic of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov with our proposal on mutual release of prisoners and the appeal to the Co-Chairs to act as mediators in this matter. "
Gagloyty has added that this question is put, regardless of the hunger strikes of prisoners.
"Although they are always the subject to our particular anxieties and concerns, and the fate of the South Ossetian prisoners in Georgian is one of the key issues in the relations between the Republic of South Ossetia and Georgia, - said Gagloyty. - The position of Georgian representatives on this issue also contains the constant definitions such as the "principled position" and "red line."
Such approaches of the Georgian side may be relevant only to journals colorings, and are contrary to those "humane initiatives" which are declared by the Georgian authorities in their promotional materials. It should be clearly understood by the observing part of the international community. "

Answering the question, whether there is any hope for a positive solution to the issue of the South Ossetian citizens serving sentences in prisons of Georgia, Khokh Gagloyty assured that "there is a hope, and the Office of the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy of the RSO for post-conflict settlement will be working in this direction, relying on the existing capabilities."

It should be noted that in summer 2005 three citizens of South Ossetia George Zaseev, Joseph Kochiev and George Valiev had been detained in the village of Auneu by Georgian special services. The detainees were accused of distributing drugs and committing a terrorist act in the town of Gori (Georgia), and for ten years are kept in Gldani prison in Tbilisi. Within ten years, this is the fourth hunger strike in the hope that their cases will be reviewed.