According to report of KGB of the Republic of South Ossetia on May 18, 2011 at the state border with Georgia duty detail of KGB border service detected a cluster of citizens of Georgia in the vicinity of Lopan village who violated the border of the Republic.
During the detention South Ossetian duty detail was fired with light arms. By return fire assailants were dispersed and escaped to the territory of Georgia.
In course of the incident four transgressors were arrested. After the investigative action they were handed to representatives of law enforcement organs of Georgia in accordance with the established procedure.
The incident took place at the territory of the Republic of South Ossetia, not Georgia as it was stated by Georgian side. Detention was exercised by RSO frontiers and first shots were made by Georgians with fowling piece. And only in return Ossetian frontiers were forced to open fire and act in self-defense and also to protect apprehended persons.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Ossetia states that responsibility for this incident and similar violations of state border is on Georgian government which takes no measures on exclusion of violations at state border with South Ossetia and designedly not informs their citizens about the path of border line.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Ossetia stated more than once that South Ossetia is prepared for discussion with Georgian side of issue of delimitation and demarcation of state border. Still Georgian authorities designedly avoid this issue. Moreover, the results of unilateral attempts of South Ossetian frontiers to mark the path of state border line are erasing by Georgian side. As the facts shows, international observers located in Georgia, whose mandate envisages prevention and exclusion of incidents and provocations at the border with Georgia does not undertake any measures as well.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia once again confirms that South Ossetia is interested in peace at the Caucasus and is prepared for equal right and constructive collaboration with all parties making efforts for regional stability.
Tskhinval, May 19, 2011