Protesters in Tskhinvali demand money to build houses

The participants of the rally, which started today in the capital of South Ossetia at 11 a.m., want to get money from regional authorities to build new houses; their homes burnt down during the August 2008 war.

The protesters hold banners reading: "Where are our houses?", "Where are 1 billion roubles of people's money?", "We demand money on hand to restore our houses!"

Among the protesters there is Zema Tedeeva, widow of the recently deceased fire victim Grigoriy Dzassokhov.

"My husband's coffin was carried out of the tent, where we lived. It's a well-known fact. My house hasn't been built yet. What do you think, should I go out here? I did and I'll demand construction of my house. We are without home for the third year; all our demands to build a house remained without response," she complained.

The protesters plan to continue their action over the next 10 days. They recognize that their rally is unsanctioned.

"Last year, when we wanted to hold a similar rally, we properly submitted an application to the Mayoralty, but they rejected it. We have bitter experience of holding such rallies; so this year we went out without the Mayoralty's permission. We have the right to do it. For the third year we are in the street. I've come here, because I have nowhere to address. I did it wherever possible," said Liana Tedeeva, a fire victim; the ruins of her burnt down house in Tskhinvali remain untouched for the third year already.

The house of Fatima Bagaeva at No. 34 Ostaev Street is on the list for construction at the State Committee for Reconstruction. However, it has not built yet; and bureaucrats explain that there is no money for that.