"After That Death, We Strengthened Some Things", Gomelauri on Murder of Tamaz Ginturi

"Patrols are ongoing [along the occupation line], and a lot of things are being done. We cannot always openly discuss what is being done and how it is being done. As you know, there is an occupation line. The occupation line in the direction of Tskhinvali is about 400 kilometers. I have spoken many times, perhaps for the tenth time, that 100% coverage is physically impossible, no matter how much money they give us... then we should become the Ministry of Internal Affairs, not 40,000, but 100,000. Yes, sir, then we will do it, although it will not happen physically," Gomelauri answered the question from the opposition, which was about patrolling along the occupation line and the prevention of illegal detentions.

"Not even the United States of America can fully protect the border," and "this is a normal phenomenon," Vakhtang Gomelauri, Internal Affairs Ministry of Georgia said.

"I think the borders are 100% closed only in North Korea. You cannot name a single country in the world that has 100% closed borders, especially the occupation line, where some of our citizens move there, have relatives, some move to the cemetery, and unfortunately, they are not allowed and detained. This is a problem. If you know of a way to do this, I would love to hear from you. As far as I know, I have been a leader for ten years, I was the deputy minister of internal affairs for two years and supervised that direction. We have a lot of information and we have worked a lot, including with our partners, not only with Georgians. I don't know how to do this and [the border] will be covered 100%. Nobody can tell us.

"I understand that we may be able to do more. However, after that death, we have added some more measures, strengthened certain aspects, but I don't want to discuss them openly at the moment. I would directly report to our occupiers what we are doing and how we are doing it. Cameras are also installed as extensively as possible, and there is monitoring, but a camera alone cannot facilitate someone's movement or lead to an arrest. In the direction where, unfortunately, it happened, you know, we do not have authority there - we cannot conduct an investigation, we cannot carry out an examination, and we cannot detain anyone in Tskhinvali. This is not new or the first time; it did not happen during my tenure. It was before 2012 and is still happening today," said Vakhtang Gomelauri.

58-year-old Tamaz Ginturi was killed by Russian soldiers on November 6, 2023, near the occupation line, close to the village of Kirbal in the Gori municipality. He was shot twice in the back. 33-year-old Levan Dotiashvili, who was with him and lived in the same village, was kidnapped for four days. On November 7, Tskhinvali television broadcasted a video showing Tamaz Ginturi and Levan Dotiashvili opening the Lomisi Church, which was located across the occupation line. A few months earlier, the occupiers had blocked the church's door with a tin plate to prevent pilgrims from entering.

Levan Dotiashvili was released by the de facto authorities of Tskhinvali on November 9. He recalled that the Russian soldier separated from them at the Lomis church without any conflict, but suddenly turned back, chased him and Tamaz Ginturi, and opened fire.

The deceased Tamaz Ginturi was a participant in the 2008 Russia-Georgia war and held the rank of Major. Locals believe that this is why he was killed.