Georgia condemns holding of Russian Duma elections in occupied Tskhinvali

The Georgian Foreign Ministry has condemned the conduct of Russian September 19 parliamentary elections in the country’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region. 

The ministry reports that opening up to 20 polling stations in Tskhinvali is a ‘rough violation of international law.’ 

Tbilisi says that along with the recent violation, Russia proceeds with illegal passportisation of locals and creeping occupation of historic Georgian lands. 

Russia and de facto Tskhinvali signed an agreement on dual citizenship yesterday which eases receiving of Russian citizenship for Tskhinvali residents. 

Russia recognised Georgia’s Tskhinvali and Abkhazia regions as independent states after the Russia-Georgia 2008 war. 

The international community has been urging Russia since then to withdraw its forces from Georgian territory.