New Regulations and Old Rules in Akhalgori

Mari Otarashvili, Akhalgori

A passenger cannot take more than 50 kg of luggage to Akhalgori. Only those, who supply shops with food products in Akhalgori district, are allowed to take large amount of luggage across the de-facto border of the non-recognized South Ossetia. Consequently, this restriction does not apply only to food products. The new regulation went in force a short time ago.

On June 18, 2013 de-facto security committee of South Ossetia passed decree to prohibit cars with Georgian state numbers to cross the de-facto border; this decree was to go in force from September 18, 2013. 

In accordance to the new regulations, a passenger had to go to Odzisi village by car (Georgian checkpoint and police operate there); in the same village, Russian checkpoint is located 500 meters away and the passenger has to walk the distance to be registered at the checkpoint; then she/he has to continue way by new vehicle with Ossetian number.

Akhalgori district residents were waiting for this day in panic. Local organizations/agencies collected signatures and requested the de-facto authority of SO to annul the decree.

As a result of the petition, which stated that new regulations would create problems not only for Georgian residents of the district but also for Ossetian and Russian people, who might have remained without food, de-facto government postponed the activation of the regulations. During the discussion of the issue, they decided that “population of the border line will continue transportation in the ordinary regime. Special group was instructed to settle social-economic issues before December 1 and supply Leningori [Akhalgori district] with products.”

De-facto cabinet of ministers decided to increase control on cargo-transportation. Indeed, other luggage except food products is not allowed into Akhalgori district. Every car and car boots are searched with special equipment. 

Akhalgori residents are waiting for December. When travelling between Akhalgori and Tbilisi, they have to pass three checkpoints – leaving from Tbilisi first they have to pass Georgian checkpoint in Odzisi village, then Russian blockpost in 500 meters and the third – Ossetian “zone of observation” in Mosabruni village.

Everybody has got used to the procedures and individually takes registration. Nobody complains about waste of time. They just urge: “It is ok and please do not make the rules stricter.”

“Everybody is complaining about wire-fences in Dvani and Ditsi now, but nobody remembers that first fences appeared here,” a local man said regretting “unfortunately, nobody mentioned it and pretends as if they do not know it. Everybody has forgotten us - the residents of Akhalgori district – neither old nor new government cared about us.”

“The old government suggested us – leave Akhalgori and move to Tserovani, there we will help you. Those, who moved to Tserovani were really assisted. At least the government protected them. Those, who remained here, were suggested by the members of former opposition and current government – not to leave the district and promised to take care of us. They have come to office and what has changed?! Who paid attention to us? Who remembers us?! Even those, who moved to Tserovani, are now left without attention,” said an old woman from Akhalgori.

Speaking loudly is prohibited on the de-facto border. So, she was speaking in a low voice. She dried her tears caused either by autumn breeze or anger. 

Russian checkpoint is very well equipped. There are green wires around like in Ditsi and Dvani villages. The checkpoint is divided into two parts – one for cars and second for the rotation of Russian soldiers. A lot of video-control apparatus installed on almost every post in the checkpoint.

They started equipment of the blockpost last winter and finished in January, 2013. Mostly Chechen and Dagestanian people worked there. 

Despite ongoing construction activities, the checkpoint did not stop functioning even one day. 

“They are not afraid of cold and frost,” the drivers of mini-buses used to say when traveling to Akhalgori in winter.

There are notices on the de-facto custom office. The notices were prepared three months ago and inform people about new regulations to go in force from September 18. Although September 18 has passed and Tskhinvali issued a new decree, nobody hurries to remove it. Ossetian version of the notice was hung up in the Ossetian checkpoint but it was already removed.

Currently, a person can cross the de-facto border after producing substitution of the Ossetian passport Form 9 or the Ossetian passport itself. Everybody, who is officially registered in Akhalgori district, holds Form 9. About 40% of local residents have Ossetian passports.