21:40, 21 December 2011

Authorities of South Ossetia and Georgia agree to exchange detainees

The preliminary agreement between Georgia and South Ossetia on the transfer of persons under investigation was reached at the today's meeting within the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention. This was announced by Merab Chigoev, Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of President of South Ossetia on post-conflict reconciliation.

"In the nearest future, we will deliver 13 persons to the Georgian side, and they will deliver 15 persons to us," said Merab Chigoev.

He also expressed his hope that, through the exchange, the citizens of South Ossetia and Georgia, kept in the detention facilities of the two republics, will be able to celebrate New Year in their houses and meet their families again.

Meanwhile, according to the Georgian authorities, the exact number of prisoners to be exchanged by the parties is still unknown, the "GHN" reports.

"At present, the negotiations on the exchange of detainees have not been completed. Thus, it is still unknown how many people will be exchanged from each side," stated Shota Utiashvili, the head of the analytical department of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).

Author: Maria Kotaeva

Source: CK correspondent