Draft:Killing of Kakha Tsotniashvili


Killing of Kakha Tsotniashvili
Part of the Georgian–Ossetian conflict
The checkpoint where Tsotniashvili was shot
LocationKaraleti, Shida Kartli, Georgia
Date10 September, 2008
c.10.15 a.m.
DeathsKakha Tsotniashvili
Perpetrator Russian Army

In the morning of 10 September 2008, a Georgian policeman Kakha Tsotniashvili was fatally wounded at a military checkpoint in the village of Karaleti.[1]

Incident

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On 10 September 2008 at around 10.15 a.m. in the village of Karaleti, a Georgian military checkpoint came under fire from the direction of a Russian security zone around 800 meters away, a Georgian policeman, Kakha Tsotniashvili who was stationed at the checkpoint was shot in the throat and head.[1][2][3] Tsotniashvili was then rushed to hospital, but ultimately succumbed to his wounds.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

Aftermath

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The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs stated “The Georgian side did not return fire.”[1]

The Russian and South Ossetian army both denied any involvement in the shooting.[4][7] The head of the Committee of Press and Information of South Ossetia, Irina Gagloyeva stated "We have nothing to do with this incident." However she did state that the incident could have been because of "infighting" between Russian soldiers and Georgian police.[10]

A Georgian police official Vladimir Dzhukeli said that "Russian forces had refused to let Georgian investigators pass through the checkpoint to examine where the gunfire might have come from."[5] Although at some point a joint investigation was done, however Georgian police have accused Russian soldiers of tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation.[7][11]

South Ossetian officials later claimed Tsotniashvili was killed in a shootout.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "MIA: Georgian Policeman Killed in Karaleti". Civil Georgia. 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  2. ^ Dizhikhashvili, Misha. "Georgian officer killed by gunfire". The Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  3. ^ Barry, Ellen; Bilefsky, Dan (2008-09-10). "Georgian Police Officer Killed Near Russian Checkpoint". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  4. ^ a b "Georgian policeman 'shot dead'". Al Jazeera. 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  5. ^ a b "Georgian policeman killed near Russian post". CBC. 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  6. ^ "A Georgian Police Officer Died in Karaleti". HUMANRIGHTS.GE. 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  7. ^ a b c "Georgia policeman shot and killed". 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  8. ^ Antidze, Margarita (2008-09-10). "Georgia accuses Russia after policeman shot dead". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  9. ^ Blomfield, Adrian (2008-09-10). "Georgian ceasefire wavers after policeman killed". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  10. ^ "Georgian Policeman Shot Dead In Russian 'Buffer Zone'". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  11. ^ "Russia Shuns Report It Will Annex Province". CBS News. 2008-09-11. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  12. ^ "Georgia separatists say officer killed - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2024-12-01.