The number of violations of the state border of South Ossetia with Georgia over the past six months has increased by half, said at a press conference in Tskhinval the Deputy Chairman of the KGB of South Ossetia - the head of the KGB Border Service, Major General Sergei Kolbin.
According to him, there is a constant increase in the number of violations of the state border; the majority of the detained violators are residents of South Ossetia – at a ratio of about 1 to 3 as compared with the citizens of Georgia.
"Among the offenders are representatives of other countries - Ukraine, Russia, Armenia, in all about 12 citizens of different states, detained for violation of the border with Georgia," - said Kolbin.
He has explained that the main burden of guarding the border is on the Russian border guards, so basically they round up detainees.
"All persons detained for violation of the border, are transferred to the KGB of South Ossetia, then we define - whether they are held criminally or administratively liable. Materials are sent to the court which passes judgment. In most cases - it's a fine from two to five thousand roubles. Several people have been convicted, but not only for violation of the state border; - they were engaged in illegal activities in the territory of South Ossetia. Some of them have already served their sentence, deported from the Republic or amnestied, "- said the head of the Border Service.
This year it has been detained more than a hundred violators of the state border.
"The maximum number of violators was two years ago - 282 people," - he added.
Kolbin has noted that currently in South Ossetia are functioning two border checkpoints - "Upper Ruck" and "Tskhinval."
"Upper Ruck" is functioning, though not fully, but we accomplish some tasks there". "Tskhinval" is also functioning, but solving extremely limited issues. We provide contacts with representatives of neighboring states within the frames of MPRI, deportation of Georgian citizens detained for violation of the border. There is no official entry point with Georgia, which would have functioned as the "Upper Ruck", "- he stressed.
At the same time there are places of a simplified border crossing - Sinagur, Karzman, Mosabrun.
"Talking about the places of a simplified border crossing, we must bear in mind that they provide for crossing the border, on condition to visit the nearby locality of Georgia on identity documents of a citizen living in the territory of South Ossetia. The person who crosses the border in a simplified order and goes off the locality, mentioned in the document, is considered the offender and we take legal actions against him. Given that we have no agreements with the neighboring state, this rule is not adhered to. And the citizens crossing the border from South Ossetia in a simplified order, in general, move freely throughout the territory of Georgia, "- said Kolbin.
This, according to the head of the Border Service, nullifies the concept of a simplified border crossing.
