ECtHR's verdict on Georgia's claim triggers scepticism among South-Ossetian political analysts

The decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on the claim of Georgia on the actions of Russian militaries in South Ossetia and Abkhazia will in no way affect the status of these regions and the recognition of their independence, political analysts believe. The ECtHR has considered the Georgia's complaint, but ignored more than 1500 applications received from residents of South Ossetia against Georgian authorities.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 21, the ECtHR found that Russia was involved in human rights violations in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, but was not responsible for the August 2008 hostilities. Russian political analysts have noted that the significance of the ECtHR's verdict is not considerable for Russian authorities.

"The ECtHR decision on 2008 events doesn't mean anything for us. The world has not and will not recognize us. The recognition of South Ossetia's independence by the international community is a longstanding process," Dina Alborova, a political analyst, has noted.

In her opinion, the attitude to the claims lodged by citizens of the states unrecognized by the international community is biased.

South Ossetia has not fully justified the status of a democratic region, Ms Alborova has added.

The ECtHR's decision can't make the basis for the return of South Ossetia and Abkhazia to Georgia, Timur Tskhovrebov, an analyst, believes. Georgian authorities should build their relations with South Ossetia on a parity basis, he has concluded.