Georgia, Tbilisi, Jan. 31 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg opened the trial today to consider Georgia's claim against Russia in connection with the mass deportation of its citizens from Russia in 2006.
The court will hold an oral hearing on the case.
Georgia made the claim against Russia before the court on March 26, 2007.
The trial will last for one week. The court will hear witnesses from the Georgian and then the Russian side. Former member of the Council of Europe Monitoring Committee Matyas Eorsi, who prepared a report on the subject, and Georgian Public Defender Giorgi Tugushi will speak at the process.
On Oct. 2, 2006, Russia terminated transport and postal links with Georgia amid a sharp deterioration in Russian-Georgian relations. That autumn, it began deporting Georgian citizens from Russia for violating the rules of residence.
Some deportees were taken to Tbilisi on Russian Emergency Situations Ministry planes, while others were sent to Georgia via third countries.