Russia Urges Investigation of Incident in South Ossetia

The Russian Foreign Ministry raised concerns over the recent shots fired at the Russian delegation led by Andrei Kokoshin, chairman of the State Duma Committee for the affairs of the CIS, in the South Ossetian conflict area.

?The Georgian side continues not only to violate the achieved agreements, but also infringes upon the security of top Russian officials, whose visit aimed to assist the conflicting sides in the conflict resolution,? reads a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry on August 4.

The Russian side called on the Georgian authorities to immediately investigate the incident and punish the guilty parties. ?We should stop those people who try to involve Georgia in a new confrontation,? the statement adds.   

Meanwhile, the Georgian side has refuted reports over Georgia’s involvement in the incident.

?I declare with full responsibility, this was a provocation masterminded by the Ossetian side,? Georgian Deputy Security Minister Gigi Ugulava said at a news briefing on August 4.

He said if the Georgian side had been notified of Kokoshin?s visit to the breakaway region it would have ensured his security.