ICPO: use of cluster bombs by Georgia ascertained

The Investigatory Committee at the Prosecutor's Office (ICPO) of Russia has evidences that Georgia made use of cluster ordnance and aviation bombs during the warfare in South Ossetia. This was stated by Vladimir Markin, official spokesman of the ICPO.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that earlier the use of cluster bombs by Georgia was stated by researcher of the emergencies of the Human Rights Watch Anna Neistat. "Georgia has admitted use of cluster ordnance, but not in the places where we managed to find it. We've registered Georgian cluster bombs in Georgian villages," said Ms Neistat. She has noted that Georgia used Israel-made cluster bombs.

In its annual report, the Human Rights Watch has also criticized Russia for war crimes and human rights violations in the course of the conflict in South Ossetia.

According to Mr Markin, "proofs are now available of use by militaries from Georgian armed formations of cluster ordnance and 500-kilogram aviation bombs against civilians of South Ossetia, as the "Gazeta.Ru" writes.

In August 2008, after retreat of Georgian army, in the city of Tskhinvali and settlements of Khetagurovo and Dzhava, employees of Russian Ministry for Emergencies demined over three thousand ordnances, including at least two 500-kilogram aviation bombs, as reported by the ICPO spokesman.

Moreover, at surveying Pris village, Tskhinvali District, numerous fragments of missile shells were detected, which have cluster head part with fragmental fighting elements, equipped with cylinder-shaped striking bullets, as Mr Markin has added.

As a result of the war, in the territory of Tskhinvali and other dwelling settlements of South Ossetia, a total of 655 houses were completely destroyed and burnt down, and 2139 residential structures and premises were damaged, as reported by Vladimir Markin, official spokesman of the Russian ICPO. According to his story, during the warfare 36,000 persons, mainly old men, women and children, were forced to leave the Republic, as the ITAR-TASS reports.