US Department of State criticizes decision to close Georgian-South-Ossetian border

The South-Ossetian authorities' decision to close checkpoints on the border with Georgia restricts the freedom of movement of local residents, the US Department of State declares.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 5, the State Security Committee of South Ossetia announced that in the period from the evening on May 7 until 8:00 a.m. on May 10, checkpoints on the border with Georgia will be closed in connection with the celebration of the Victory Day on May 9.

The US is concerned over the decision to temporarily close the checkpoints on the administrative border between Georgia and South Ossetia, since the time period coincides with the celebration of the Victory Day in Georgia and restricts the freedom of movement of residents living on both sides of the administrative border, declares the report dated May 8 and posted on the website of the US Department of State.

Besides, the United States calls for the immediate cessation of the regular detentions of Georgian citizens near the territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the First Channel of the Georgian Public Broadcaster reports today with reference to Heather Nauert, Spokesperson for the United States Department of State.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.