20:00, 16 November 2009

ICRC not to take part in releasing teenagers detained in South Ossetia

Tskhinvali. Photo by www.flickr.com/photos/34503150@N08

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in South Ossetia has refused to make any comments on visiting the detained Georgian teenagers in South Ossetia, having referred to confidentiality. This was reported by Maria Tedeeva, press secretary of the ICRC in South Ossetia.

"You should understand the specificity of our organization. Usually, everything we learn during our visits, is reported in private to the authorities, never to the media," said Ms Tedeeva.

According to her story, the Red Cross keeps confidentiality of its information in any country of the world where it works.

Earlier, the arrested teenagers told the workers of the Tskhinvali ICRC office that they felt OK, and no psychological or physical pressure was applied to them.

The ICRC will not take any steps concerning the detainees and settling their situation, as, according to the press secretary, these issues are beyond the competence of her organization.

Author: Emma Marzoeva

Source: CK correspondent