3 Georgians kidnapped in South Ossetia

By Davit Kachkachishvili

TBILISI (AA) – Georgia’s Foreign Ministry said Friday that three Georgian citizens were kidnapped in the breakaway region of South Ossetia.

The ministry said in a statement on its website that separatists backed by Russia abducted the three Georgians on Feb. 22.

One of the abductees, Archil Tutunashvili, was killed, according to the ministry, while Levan Kutashvili and Ioseb Pavliashvili were taken into custody.

The ministry condemned the incident and expressed condolences to the family of Tutunashvili.

It also called on the international community to respond against Russia, which has stepped up “provocative and illegal activities” in the occupied areas of South Ossetia.

Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili also confirmed Tutunashvili’s death.

"Our friend…was killed in the occupied territories a few hours ago," Margvelashvili said at a meeting with visiting Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen in Tbilisi.

He noted that Tutunashvili was a former soldier and served for peace and security.