16:36, 12 July 2007

Journalists of TV Channel "Rossiya" detained today in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone

The "Caucasian Knot" has already informed that the authorities of Georgia have released the journalists of the "Rossiya" TV Channel detained today in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone.

We remind you that today Georgian power agents have detained the camera crew of the "Rossiya" State Radio and Television Company (GTRK). The Committee for Information and Press of South Ossetia has informed that Andrei Chistiakov and 3 assistants were detained.

The Russian journalists detained in Georgia travelled together with peacekeepers, including Georgian ones, and detention of journalists is a provocation, Yuri Vereschak, Assistant of the Commander of the Mixed Peacekeeping Forces (MPKF) in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone, told the RIA "Novosti" by telephone.

Shota Khizanishvili, head of the Administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, has asserted that "the journalists got to the territory of Georgia by violating the legislation. The detainees crossed the border from the side of the Rokskiy Tunnel, not having Georgian visas and through the check point that has no official status."