Georgia, Tbilisi, Nov. 24 / Trend N. Kirtzkhalia /
The Ossetian side handed over three detainees to Georgia.
According to the Georgian Interior Ministry, three Kirbali villagers of Gori district were released as a result of two-month-negotiations. They were detained by Russian border guards on the so-called border with Georgia for violating "state border" of South Ossetia on September 17, 2011.
Brothers Gia and Akaki Abalaki and Geronti Papitashvili claimed that they were cutting wood when they were seized by armed men and taken to Tskhinvali.
As a result of the negotiations, the Georgian Interior Ministry achieved releasing all three men. This morning they have been handed over on the administrative border.
Military actions were launched in the Georgian region of South Ossetia on Aug.8, 2008. Later Russian troops occupied the city of Tskhinvali and drove the Georgian military back. Russia recognised the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in late August.