28.07.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

33 year old man dies on 27 July 2008 after an explosion of an anti-tank mine in Gali district ("Reports: Man Dies in Gali Blast") [ID 24090]

Document(s): Open document

07.07.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

4 people killed and 6 injured in explosion in Gali town ("Blast Kills Four, Injures Six in Gali") [ID 23705]

Document(s): Open document

15.05.2008 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Inhabitants of town of Gali fear violence in case of war between Georgia and Abkhazia; increased Abkhaz security presence in Gali district; Georgians in Abkhazia fear going to near Georgian town to cast vote in upcoming Parliamentary election ("Abkhazia-Georgia Residents Living on the Edge") [ID 23248]

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

The situation in the Gali region of Abkhazia remained tense as a result of kidnapping, arbitrary arrest, and deaths in custody ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22574]

"

   The situation in the Gali region of Abkhazia, where many ethnic Georgians live, remained tense as a result of kidnapping, arbitrary arrest, and deaths in custody. Systemic problems in the criminal justice system of the de facto authorities, in particular the failure to conduct impartial investigations and to bring alleged perpetrators to trial, sustained a climate of impunity. Abuse by de facto law enforcement authorities included arbitrary arrests and detention as well as routine mistreatment of detainees. De facto law enforcement authorities rarely wore uniforms or carried badges or credentials, allowing them to act with impunity."

Document(s): Open document

26.01.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

According to UN report, an almost daily flow of inaccurate Georgian media reports is fuelling widespread sense of uncertainty and alarm in Gali District ("‘Inaccurate Media Reports Fuel Alarm in Gali’ – UN Abkhaz Report") [ID 22229]

Document(s): Open document

23.01.2008 - Source: UN Security Council

The overall situation in the Gali sector has been generally calm; in connection with the Georgian presidential election Abkhaz leadership increased the number of security personnel ("Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia [S/2008/38]") [ID 22277]

"

The overall situation in the Gali sector has been generally calm, with occasional spikes of tension, in particular in connection with the Georgian presidential election. As mentioned earlier, in early December the Abkhaz leadership decided to increase the number of security personnel in the security and restricted weapons zones, reportedly as a precautionary measure. Through its daily patrols, UNOMIG estimated that despite this increase, the presence of Abkhaz de facto security personnel in the security zone did not exceed 600, as agreed by the sides."

Document(s): Open document

04.01.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

Georgian media reports of attacks on ethnic Georgians is misinformation, an Abkhaz official has said ("Sokhumi Denies Reported Attacks on Georgians in Gali") [ID 21983]

Document(s): Open document

18.07.2007 - Source: UN Security Council

The security situation in the Gali sector remained tense; Abkhaz de facto militia continued to deploy additional posts throughout the Gali distric; increase of coastal patrols in the area ("Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia [S/2007/439]") [ID 20966]

"The security situation in the Gali sector remained tense. UNOMIG maintained an increased rate of patrols, including through the periodic deployment of temporary forward patrol bases co-located with CIS peacekeeping force check-posts. The Abkhaz de facto militia continued to deploy additional posts throughout the Gali district, though personnel numbers remained below the limits specified in relevant agreements and protocols. Further deployments were observed following the opening, on 26 May, of a large Georgian patriot youth camp at Ganmukhuri, in close proximity to the ceasefire line on the Georgian-controlled northern side of the Inguri River. The CIS peacekeeping force deployed an additional checkpoint at Nakargali, opposite the Ganmukhuri camp, and increased its air patrols in the area. The Abkhaz side increased its coastal patrols in the area. UNOMIG followed up on Georgian reports that a Russian military base was being constructed near Primorsk town in the restricted weapons zone, but no evidence of such construction was observed."

Document(s): Open document

06.07.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

2 civilians shot dead in Gali district, a Abkhaz news agency reported ("Reports: Two Killed in Gali") [ID 20629]

Document(s): Open document

06.2007 - Source: Freedom House

Fragile security situation in the Gali district during 2006; some killings occurred during the year ("Freedom in the World 2007") [ID 20542]

"The security environment in the Gali district, whose population is largely ethnic Georgian, remained fragile over the course of 2006, with a number of killings occurring during the year."

Document(s): Open document

03.04.2007 - Source: UN Security Council

High tensions in the Gali district; exchange of fire between Abkhaz militia and Georgian law enforcement officers on 1 March during a protest against the self-styled election by Georgian youth movement ("Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia [S/2007/182]") [ID 19687]

"In my previous report, I noted that since early December the focus of tensions between the two sides had shifted to the zone of conflict, in particular the Gali district. This has, unfortunately, remained the case during the first months of 2007. Indeed, the overall security situation in the Gali sector has been characterized by high tensions between the two sides throughout most of the reporting period, in particular in relation to the self-styled elections.  

On 1 March an exchange of fire took place across the ceasefire line between Abkhaz militia and Georgian law enforcement officers. The incident occurred during a protest against the self-styled election by a newly established Georgian youth movement, which took place on the ceasefire line near Shamgona, south of the Inguri Bridge. Several Zugdidi students crossed back and forth over the ceasefire line. Three of them were apprehended on the Abkhaz side by the militia, who fired warning shots in the air. This, in turn, prompted a protracted exchange of small arms fire between the Abkhaz militia and Georgian police officers. No casualties were reported. The firing stopped when a special UNOMIG patrol arrived at the scene. "

Document(s): Open document

11.01.2007 - Source: UN Security Council

Security situation in the Gali Sector generally calm until December 2006; decrease in the level of criminality ("Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia [S/2007/15]") [ID 18542]

"The overall security situation in the Gali Sector remained generally calm until December. Crime statistics maintained by UNOMIG showed a decrease in the level of criminality. There were 13 shootings, 2 killings and 19 robberies reported, as compared to the same period last year, which recorded 17 shootings, 8 killings,6 abductions and 27 robberies. On 26 September an overflight by an unidentified aircraft caused both sides to exchange accusations, and live firing along the ceasefire line on 28 September, on the eve of the Abkhaz so-called “victory day”,caused protests by the Georgian side. In anticipation of a possible increase in tension during this period, UNOMIG established two additional temporary posts along the ceasefire line. Subsequently, no incident was observed. In November, several raids were conducted by the Abkhaz militia in the Gali district, resulting in the temporary detention of some local residents, which was also protested by the Georgian side. These raids, which were reported to have been identity checks, were undertaken in conjunction with military recruitment officers and resulted also in the identification and recruitment of “draft dodgers”. The Human Rights Office in Abkhazia, Georgia, urged the Abkhaz authorities to refrain from the practice of drafting Gali residents in circumstances which amounted to arbitrary conscription."

Document(s): Open document

11.01.2007 - Source: UN Security Council

Tensions rapidly increased in December; three members of the Abkhaz militia killed in the Gali district; Georgian side denied any connection ("Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia [S/2007/15]") [ID 18543]

"In December, tensions rapidly increased. On 8 December, following the arrest in Zugdidi of Pridon Chakaberia, the de facto administrator of Kvemo Bargebi village in the lower Gali district (see para. 16 below), the Gali administration closed the Inguri Bridge and other crossing points to all local residents except for those from the Gali district returning from Zugdidi. While exceptions were made for children going to schools and those needing emergency medical treatment in Zugdidi, the closure affected families on both sides of the ceasefire line as well as access by returnees to their property in the Gali district and access by Gali residents to less expensive food markets in Zugdidi. The Human Rights Office in Abkhazia, Georgia, called upon the Abkhaz side to ensure that freedom of movement is fully observed in the territory under its control.

The situation deteriorated on 25 and 26 December with the killings of three members of the Abkhaz militia in the Gali district. On 25 December, two of them, including the Deputy Chief of the Gali militia, were killed and another one critically injured by an improvised explosive device on the M-27 highway, approximately 2 kilometres from the Inguri Bridge. On 26 December, the body of the chief of a village militia was found in the lower Gali district. The Abkhaz side stated that these “terrorist acts” were perpetrated by armed groups backed by the Georgian Government. The Georgian side attributed the killings to Abkhaz inter-factional rivalry and denied any connection with so-called armed groups.    "

Document(s): Open document

08.08.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia: 2 people killed in shootout in Repi village in Gali district after dispute between local Georgian residents and Abkhazians ("Reports: Two Die in Abkhaz Clash") [ID 16935]

Document(s): Open document

26.06.2006 - Source: UN Security Council

Georgian side continues to urge for establishment of human rights office in Gali sector; security situation has improved in Gali following killings in March 2006; despite efforts of law enforcement agencies, 3 killings, 3 kidnappings, 7 shooting incidents and 18 detentions by de facto agencies were recorded ("Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia [S/2006/435]") [ID 15783]

"The Georgian side continued to attach particular importance to the establishment of a UNOMIG human rights sub-office and the deployment of the UNOMIG police component in the Gali district, the use of Georgian as the language of instruction in the Gali district schools and the property rights of internally displaced persons and refugees. The Abkhaz side was concerned about the use of militant rhetoric by Georgian officials and what it saw as a continued militarization of Georgia, including by the opening of a new military base in Senaki, near the conflict zone. It claimed that violence in the Gali district was provoked by groups sent from the Georgian-controlled side of the ceasefire line. [...] Gali sector 12. The security situation in the Gali sector was generally calm. Following the killings in the Gali district in March 2006 and reports of the presence of an armed group in the vicinity, Abkhaz law enforcement agencies and the CIS peacekeeping force increased their activities in the area, including joint patrolling. The CIS peacekeeping force also provided escorts for public buses on market days in the lower Gali district and placed boxes for receiving anonymous complaints from the local population, including information regarding criminals. While those efforts contributed to a decrease in the crime rate, public apprehensions towards the de facto law enforcement agencies persisted in the Gali district. During the reporting period, 3 killings, including the killing of 2 alleged criminals as a result of an Abkhaz law enforcement operation, 3 kidnappings, 20 robberies, 7 shooting incidents and 18 detentions by Abkhaz de facto law enforcement agencies were recorded."

Document(s): Open document

03.05.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia: Russian foreign ministry accuses Georgian authorities of hampering the return process of internally displaced persons to Gali district I ("Moscow Accuses Tbilisi of Hindering Return of IDPs to Gali") [ID 15368]

Document(s): Dokument

17.03.2006 - Source: UN Security Council

The Abkhaz side was urged to open human rights sub-office and to deploy UNOMIG police in Gali district; there were two violent incidents in Gali reported, namely killing of Gali resident on 14 February and killing of 4 civilians on 8 March ("Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia [S/2006/173]") [#47798],  [ID 5572]

"3. On 24 January 2006, UNOMIG chaired a ministerial-level meeting between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides on security issues, in particular in the Gali district, at its Gali Sector headquarters; the Commander of the Collective Peacekeeping Forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) also participated.
6. […] The Abkhaz side was also urged to implement, without further delay past commitments on the opening of a United Nations human rights sub-office in the town of Gali and the deployment of UNOMIG police and the education of local residents in their native Georgian language in the Gali district. Abkhaz proposals on these issued announced prior to the meeting were welcomed but were seen as not being fully satisfactory in substance or pace. [...]
10. During the reporting period, the military situation in the conflict zone remained generally calm, with no violations of the 1994 Agreement on a Ceasefire and Separation of Forces reported. [...] However, two violent incidents created tensions on the ground and between the sides: the killing of a Gali resident by Abkhaz de facto law enforcement officers on 14 February; and the killing of four civilians by a group of unidentified armed men in the Gali district on 8 March. Both incidents are being investigated by the joint fact-finding group. UNOMIG military observers continued daily ground patrols in the Gali and Zugdidi sectors. [...]
12. The United Nations human rights office in Sukhumi continued its activities to protect and promote human rights on the Abkhaz side of the ceasefire line in cooperation with other international partners. UNOMIG also continued to implement quick impact projects and began implementing the rehabilitation programme in the Gali, Tkvarcheli, Ochamchira and Zugdidi districts, financed by the European Commission (see S/2005/657, para. 30)."

Document(s): Open document

09.03.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia: After killing of 3 men and a girl in Gali district on 8 March Georgian Foreign Ministry rejects involvement of Georgian militant groups and states that the Russian peacekeeping contingent has no control over the situation in the region ("MFA Condemns Shooting in Gali") [#46645],  [ID 5573]

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Kidnapping, arbitrary arrest and deaths in custody occurred in Gali region; more than 50 young male ethnic Georgians from Gali were forcefully conscripted to Abkhaz army; establishment of UNOMIG human rights office in Gali was rejected by Abkhaz authorities ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46124],  [ID 5574]

"The situation in the Gali region of Abkhazia, where many ethnic Georgians live, remained tense as a result of incidents of kidnapping, arbitrary arrest, and deaths in custody. Systemic problems in the criminal justice system, in particular the failure to conduct impartial investigations and to bring alleged perpetrators to trial, sustained a climate of impunity. Partisan groups active in Abkhazia engaged in criminal activity and frequently took hostages to exchange for captured compatriots or ransom. [...]
The Abkhaz began forcefully conscripting young male ethnic Georgians living in the Gali region of Abkhazia into the army. More than 50 were reportedly forcefully taken. The local military authority was reportedly accepting $100 (180 GEL) to "delay" conscription and $1,500 (2,700 GEL) for return of those already taken. […]
Abkhaz de facto authorities continued to resist the establishment of a UNOMIG human rights office in Gali. [...]
The new Abkhaz law on citizenship, which excludes the possibility of dual Abkhaz-Georgian citizenship, limited the rights of the ethnic Georgian population in Abkhazia."

Document(s): Open document

15.02.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia: Local resident killed and another injured on 14 February in raid carried out by Abkhaz militia in the Georgian village of Ganakhleba in Gali district ("Reports: One Dies in Gali Shooting") [#44276],  [ID 5575]

Document(s): Open document

27.01.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia: Authorities call on local NGOs to set up a "human rights center" in Gali district ("Sokhumi Calls on NGOs to Set Up Human Rights Center in Gali") [#43163],  [ID 5576]

Document(s): Open document

16.01.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhasia: Crime situation in Gali district worsening; situation not under control of Russian peacekeepers, says Georgian Foreign Minister ("Tbilisi Warns of 'Irreversible Consequences' in Gali") [#42152],  [ID 5577]

Document(s): Open document

16.01.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia: Abkhazian leader Sergey Bagapsh concerned about deteriorating security conditions in Georgian-populated Gali district; accuses Georgia of trying to destabilize the situation ("Sokhumi Blames Tbilisi for Crime in Gali") [#42151],  [ID 5578]

Document(s): Open document

15.01.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia: Valeri Gabisonia, resident of Nabakevi village in Gali district, abducted by unknown armed men ("Reports: Man Kidnapped in Gali") [#42149],  [ID 5579]

Document(s): Open document

13.01.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia: Ethnic Georgian killed by unknown gunmen in Saberio village in Gali district ("One Killed in Abkhaz Conflict Zone") [#42147],  [ID 5580]

Document(s): Open document

10.01.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia: Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava accuses Abkhazian authorities to fail to curb lawlessness and crime and demands deployment of police of the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) ("Tbilisi Demands Deployment of UN Police in Gali") [#42145],  [ID 5581]

Document(s): Open document

31.12.2005 - Source: ReliefWeb

Security situation remained volatile in Gali district; a representative of Abkhaz security office was shot in his car; Abkhaz militiamen detained 17 Georgians who refused to serve in Abkhaz army ("Georgia: Humanitarian and development update Dec 2005 (UN Country Team in Georgia)") [#42042],  [ID 5582]

"Meanwhile, the situation remained quite volatile in Gali district with several security incidents involving both sides of the conflict and open fire. One person died in an accident, occurred in the village of Dikhazurga, the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone. It is reported that late representative of the security office of the breakaway region of Abkhazia Amiran Uratadze was shot in his car. According to the Georgian police, Uratadze became wanted by the Georgian Interior Ministry three years ago as he was a leader of the Abkhaizan criminal gang, which organized raids against the Georgian population in the villages of Saberio and Dikhazurga.
Abkhaz militiamen detained 17 ethnic Georgians in the Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia because they refused to serve in the Abkhaz army. Reportedly, all of them were taken to the Abkhaz capital Sukhumi."

Document(s): Open document

31.12.2005 - Source: ReliefWeb

Georgian Foreign Ministry called on UN Observers to take appropriate action in Gali region; the Ministry condemned recent firing on special operations division of Ministry of Internal Affairs in Zugdidi region ("Georgia: Humanitarian and development update Dec 2005 (UN Country Team in Georgia)") [#42042],  [ID 5583]

"Georgian Foreign Ministry has released an official statement regarding the current developments in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone. The Ministry called on the UN Observers Mission to intensify its efforts and adopt respective measures in order to explore the ongoing developments in the Gali region and take an appropriate action on it. The Ministry condemned the recent incident, when it was opened rifle, machine gun and mortar fire and riddled checkpoint N214 of the special operations division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia in the village of Orsantia, Zugdidi region. […]"

Document(s): Open document

15.12.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Shelling in Georgian villages of Nabakevi and Otobaia in Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia, reported; fire was allegedly opened by Russian peacekeepers who were drunk ("Georgian MIA Reports Shelling in Gali District") [#41810],  [ID 5584]

Document(s): Open document

14.12.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Gali district: 17 ethnic Georgians detained by Abkhaz militiamen because they refused to serve in Abkhaz army ("17 Ethnic Georgians Detained in Gali District") [#41808],  [ID 5585]

Document(s): Open document

30.11.2005 - Source: ReliefWeb

UNOMIG statement of 7 November 2005 is concerned with security and human rights situation, referring to death of Daniel Tsurtsumia who had refused military service; UNOMIG stressed necessity of setting up its office in Gali district where series of kidnaps and murders took place ("Georgia: Humanitarian and development update Nov 2005 (United Nations Country Team in Georgia)") [#40514],  [ID 5586]

"As per the 7 November statement of the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG), it is concerned with the deteriorating security and human rights situation in the Abkhaz conflict zone, which could lead to an escalation of tension on the ground.
The UNOMIG statement mainly refers to the death of Daniel Tsurtsumia, an ethnic Georgian resident of Gali district in breakaway Abkhazia, who, according to the Georgian side, was beaten to the death by Abkhaz militiamen after he refused to serve in the Abkhaz army. The Abkhaz side denied these allegations and claimed that Tsurtsumia was a criminal suspect who died from injuries sustained after exchange fire with Abkhaz police. UNOMIG has established contact on the matter with both sides and applied to relevant bodies to render all necessary support in the conduct of an objective investigation. Furthermore, the Mission is suggesting to both sides to convene a high level meeting on security matters as soon as possible, in order to address the deteriorating situation.
UNOMIG, which has observers in the conflict zone, also reiterated the necessity of setting up a UN/OSCE human rights office in the Gali district, as well as the deployment of UN police officers there. The Abkhaz side opposes both of these proposals.
The situation has aggravated from the beginning of November, following the protest of the Abkhaz side regarding the UN's intention to include representatives of the Georgian side in the implementation of the EU-funded infrastructure rehabilitation programme and a series of kidnaps and murders that took place in Gali district. The mentioned 7 November murder of ethnic Georgian was followed by the kidnapping of ethnic Georgian from the village Saberio, Gali district, causing a harsh statement of the Georgian side expressing dissatisfaction towards the ongoing events and the performance of Russian peacekeeping forces. On 13 November, one more ethnic Georgian was killed and another injured after unknown gunmen opened fire on a car in the village of Chuburkhinji in the Georgian-populated Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia.
Abkhaz de-facto leader Sergei Bagapsh confirmed his intention to establish firm control of the easternmost Gali district of Abkhazia, mainly populated by ethnic Georgians who voluntarily returned to Abkhazia. In addition, Bagapsh confirmed the decision to resume the privatisation of apartments owned by displaced Georgians.
UN Secretary General’s Special Representative to Georgia Heidi Tagliavini met with Sergey Bagapsh and de-facto Foreign Minister Sergey Shamba on 21 November in Sukhumi and discussed a draft of the Georgian-Abkhaz declaration on non-resumption of hostilities, as well as the newly adopted Abkhaz law on citizenship."

Document(s): Open document

28.11.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Gali district: Employee of Abkhaz customs service injured after explosive, detonated by remote-controled device, hit his car near Tagiloni ("Abkhaz Customs Official Injured in Attack in Gali District") [#41967],  [ID 5587]

Document(s): Open document

14.11.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Chuburkhinji, Gali district: 1 man killed and another injured after unknown gunmen opened fire on car ("One Dies in Gali Shooting") [#41960],  [ID 5588]

Document(s): Open document

10.11.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Ethnic Georgian from Saberio in Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia, kidnapped ("Georgian MFA Condemns Abduction of Civilian in Gali") [#41959],  [ID 5589]

Document(s): Open document

07.11.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Abkhazia: According to UN observers, tensions could rise; estimated 20,000 to 60,000 ethnic Georgians in the region ("UN Expresses Concern At Situation In Abkhazia's Gali Region") [#38687],  [ID 5590]

Document(s): Open document

19.10.2005 - Source: UN Security Council

Abkhaz authorities were reluctant to allow deployment of UNOMIG in Gali district; UN human rights office also faced increasing difficulties to access detainees in detention centres ("Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia [S/2005/657]") [#38393],  [ID 5591]

For details please refer to the original document

"21. […] The de facto Abkhaz authorities remained reluctant to allow the deployment of UNOMIG police advisers on the Gali side of the ceasefire line, which continued to hamper cross ceasefire line cooperation, hinder progress in criminal investigations and limit the effectiveness of preventive anti-crime efforts.
[…]

24. The United Nations human rights office in Abkhazia, Georgia, continued to implement its programme for the protection and promotion of human rights (see S/1996/284, annex I). Within its protection mandate, the office gathered information from victims, witnesses and other reliable sources and followed up on individual cases in areas of due process, impunity, treatment of detainees, involuntary disappearances, forced labour, arbitrary evictions and property rights violations. The office faced increasing difficulties during its regular monitoring visits to detention centres and on a number of occasions human rights officers were denied access to detainees. When access was granted, the office observed substandard conditions, in particular in pre-trial custody. The office continued to monitor court trials and provide legal advisory services to the local population.

25. The de facto Abkhaz authorities, despite earlier positive indications, have not yet agreed to the opening of a UNOMIG human rights sub-office in the town of Gali, which would enhance the ability of the office to protect the human rights of the local population, including returnees, in the zone of conflict."

Document(s): Open document

13.07.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Crime situation in the Gali district is reportedly extremely grave ("Tbilisi Calls for Protection of Human Rights in Gali") [#42693],  [ID 5592]

Document(s): Open document

19.05.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia: 3 Georgians kidnapped in predominately Georgian-populated Gali district; one of them released shortly after abduction, other 2 remain in captivity ("Abduction Reported in Gali District") [#42875],  [ID 5593]

Document(s): Open document

02.2005 - Source: UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Detainees were reportedly held arbitrarily, and there is report of a detainee beaten by police ("Europe, Central Asia and North America region - quarterly reports of field offices") [#29691],  [ID 5594]

"Inefficient policing, administration of justice and related human rights violations continued in the Gali district. The HROAG witnessed even a surge in the crime rate in the last two months of 2004 and the first month of 2005.
[...]
HROAG also monitored pre-trial detention facilities on a weekly basis, interviewing 25 detainees in the period under review, and approached the de facto authorities in the Gali district to raise its concern at their failure to provide detainees with legal counsel upon arrest, as well as with medical treatment in a few cases. During the reporting period, two trials took place in Gali district de facto court. As a result of the urgent intervention of HROAG upon the raid of the Abkhaz de facto special forces on both sides of the ceasefire line on 11 January, nine out of 13 arbitrarily arrested residents were immediately released, the rest being let free in the next few days."

Document(s): Open document

02.2005 - Source: UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Presidential elections on 12 January 2005: Uniformed and armed groups went through villages, some of them encouraging people to vote, others preventing them from voting; the criminal gangs wore the same uniforms as security services ("Europe, Central Asia and North America region - quarterly reports of field offices") [#29691],  [ID 5595]

"The de facto Ministry of Interior and de facto Security Service deployed more personnel in the Gali district for the second round of the de facto presidential elections on 12 January, reportedly for the purpose of securing the polling stations. Residents of lower Gali reported to HROAG that armed and uniformed groups had gone through the villages on the election day, some of them trying to encourage people to vote, other preventing them from voting. In some villages, human right officers met only women and children; local men were in hiding in the aftermath of a swift raid by the special forces resulting in a number of arbitrary arrests. Villagers could not distinguish the security forces belonging to the de facto LEA from criminal gangs due to the fact that both groups frequently had identical uniforms and weapons. The continuing practice of wearing uniforms and arms by unauthorized individuals did not contribute to the rule of law and affected negatively the general human rights situation.
[...]

Intimidation attempts increased in the Gali district during the de facto presidential election period. Additional armed personnel deployed in the Security Zone brought tension, fear and insecurity among the local population."

Document(s): Open document

15.01.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia: 2 Georgians released after spending 4 days in detention in Gali district ("Two Kidnapped Georgians Released in Abkhazia") [#43457],  [ID 5596]

Document(s): Open document

12.01.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Gali district: Units of Abkhaz governmental guard blocked polling stations and prevents voters from casting ballots ("Conflicting Reports over Situation in Georgian-Populated Gali") [#43450],  [ID 5597]

Document(s): Open document

08.11.2004 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Gali: human rights situation remained precarious: culture of impunity prevailed, generating a feeling of insecurity among the local population; cases of prolonged detention, extortion and use of physical violence by uniformed personnel reported ; positive development: Human Rights Office was able to monitor the trial of three local juveniles ("EU: Engage India on Human Rights") [#26851],  [ID 5598]

"27. The human rights situation in the Gali district remained precarious, notwithstanding the increased number of law enforcement personnel on the ground. The culture of impunity prevailed, generating a feeling of insecurity among the local population. Cases of prolonged detention, extortion and use of physical violence by uniformed personnel were reported. On the positive side, the Human Rights Office was able to monitor the trial of three local juveniles who had crossed the ceasefire line without the authorization of the Abkhaz de facto security services, which resulted in their subsequent release."

Document(s): Open document

08.11.2004 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Human rights situation in Gali district: culture of impunity prevailed, problems with students’ right to education in the native language, ethnic Georgians remained underrepresented in local administrative structures ("EU: Engage India on Human Rights") [#26851],  [ID 5601]

"Some de facto draft laws and decisions in the administration of justice, with relevance to human rights issues, were put on hold before the de facto presidential elections in Abkhazia, Georgia, scheduled for 3 October.

A shooting incident on 30 July in the vicinity of Sukhumi, when a Georgian coast guard boat opened fire at a Turkish cargo vessel, led to a suspension of the participation by the Abkhaz side in the negotiation process. As a consequence, cooperation between the law enforcement agencies in the weekly Quadripartite Meeting was suspended as well.

In the Gali district, the human rights situation remained precarious. The following main areas of concern were identified during the period under review:
• The culture of impunity still prevailed over the culture of accountability. Persisting murders, abductions and robberies, which mostly remained unpunished continued to generate a feeling of insecurity among local residents. A number of cases of prolonged detention, denial of the right to legal protection, extortion and use of physical violence by uniformed Abkhaz personnel were reported. Due to the lack of sufficient qualified personnel, equipment and professional training, the law enforcement bodies were unable to police effectively in the district.
• In the Gali district, problems with students’ right to education in the native language persisted due to the educational policy of the de facto Abkhaz officials. Georgian as language of instruction was gradually excluded from some local schools in the district. Also due to the lack of Russian-speaking teachers, this policy led to the neglect of basic disciplines in the school curriculum.
• In general, ethnic Georgians remained underrepresented in local administrative structures, especially in the law enforcement agencies. However, in July the de facto Ministry of Interior initiated the recruitment of some militia personnel of Georgian origin in villages of the Gali district."

Document(s): Open document

18.10.2004 - Source: UN Security Council

Security situation in Gali: overall military situation generally calm; number of criminal incidents, particularly in the lower Gali district, increased compared with the same period in 2003; Zugdidi: generally calm, low number of reported criminal incidents ("Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia S/2004/844") [#26561],  [ID 5599]

"Gali sector
16. The overall military situation has been generally calm in the Gali sector. In addition to conducting their annual military exercises from 26 to 30 July, the Abkhaz authorities reinforced their security presence, especially along the ceasefire line, in the lead-up to the de facto presidential elections on 3 October.
17. At the same time, the number of criminal incidents, particularly in the lower Gali district, has increased compared with the same period in 2003. Overall, five killings, 12 shootings, four abductions and 30 robberies have been reported. The most serious incident involved a shooting between the Abkhaz militia and two unidentified perpetrators in Rechki on 22 July, during which the perpetrators were killed. There were also reports of shootings in the Saberio area and the abduction of a family in Sida 2. The increase in robberies is largely attributed to the beginning of the hazelnut harvest season in August. The decision of the de facto authorities to expel several families in Chuburkindzi whose sons had joined the Georgian army also generated tensions. These families moved to Zugdidi and have not yet returned to their homes because of fear of being victimized by the Abkhaz militia.

Zugdidi sector
18. The overall situation in the Zugdidi sector was generally calm, and the number of criminal incidents reported was relatively low. On 2 September, an exchange of fire between the Georgian police and an armed group was reported near the ceasefire line in Shamgona; no casualties or injuries were sustained by either side. On 15 September, a UNOMIG civilian police officer was robbed at gunpoint at his house in Zugdidi; the local police are investigating."

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05.10.2004 - Source: EurasiaNet

Abkhazia: many Gali residents forced through intimidation to cast their ballots for specific candidate ("Controversy grows over Abkhaz presidental election") [#26372],  [ID 5600]

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06.10.2003 - Source: Civil Georgia

Abkhazia: Two employees of the breakaway region’s customs department, were killed on October 5 near a Sida village in the Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia; Georgian guerillas believed to be perpetrators ("Two Die in Abkhazia Shooting") [#16474],  [ID 5602]

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21.07.2003 - Source: UN Security Council

Criminal activity in Gali region ("Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia S/2003/751") [#14606],  [ID 5603]

"11. UNOMIG patrols reported the security environment in the Gali Sector as being generally calm but unstable, with some periods of heightened tension, often caused by criminal activity. During a routine exercise by Abkhaz anti-aircraft units in an area overlapping the Gali restricted-weapon zone, UNOMIG observed three armoured transport vehicles suspected of being used to carry weapon systems in violation of the Moscow Agreement. UNOMIG raised the issue with the de facto Abkhaz authorities.

12. Local law enforcement officials struggled to address the high level of criminal activity in the Gali sector. Six murders, seven shootings, one kidnapping, twenty-two robberies and one landmine explosion were reported. Major incidents included the following: on 1 April, shots were fired at the car of the Director of the Inguri power station, who managed to escape unharmed; on 16 April, unknown perpetrators hijacked a HALO Trust vehicle near Sukhumi at gunpoint and stole employees' salaries; in the lower Gali region, close to the ceasefire line, an Abkhaz customs officer was ambushed and killed on 4 May; on 14 May, Abkhaz militia shot and killed one of two individuals who tried to flee after being arrested for illegal possession of a hand grenade; a resident of a village in the lower Gali region was shot dead the next day after purportedly trying to escape the custody of a police unit from Sukhumi; on 7 June, four members of the Abkhaz security services were wounded during an ambush; during an attempted robbery of a house in a village near Gali city on 22 June, armed men killed the sister of the Abkhaz Minister of Information in exile and wounded two others; and on 25 June, a Georgian and an Abkhaz were killed during a shooting on the Inguri bridge.

13. Against this backdrop, Abkhaz law enforcement agencies conducted four stop-and-search operations in the upper and lower Gali regions. The most intensive operation was launched with support from the de facto Ministry of Interior between 23 and 29 May, principally to address reports about the presence of illegal armed groups on the eve of Georgia's Independence Day, 26 May. The augmentation of UNOMIG patrols during the period helped to limit the impact of the search operations on the local population."

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27.06.2003 - Source: ReliefWeb

Abkhaz Foreign Minister again rejects proposed joint Georgian-Abkhaz administration under the UN aegis in Abkhazia's southernmost Gali Raion ("Abkhazia again rejects proposed international administration (RFE/RL)") [#15891],  [ID 5604]

"Abkhaz Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba has told Apsnipress that the Georgian leadership's proposal to establish a joint Georgian-Abkhaz administration under the UN aegis in Abkhazia's southernmost Gali Raion concurrently with the repatriation to Gali of Georgian displaced persons is unacceptable, Caucasus Press reported on 27 June. Shamba again insisted that repatriation is a purely humanitarian issue and accused the Georgian leadership of using the displaced persons as pawns in their "political games""

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