The new authorities of the pro-Russian Georgian separatist region of South Ossetia announced on Monday that they had abandoned the organization of a referendum on its integration into Russia.
In one law, the President Alan Gagloev called uncertainty associated with legal consequences of such consultation, decided by his predecessor, Anatoly Bibilov, and held on July 17.
He also highlights the non -acceptance of a unilateral decision by referendum on issues relating to the legitimate rights and interests of the Russian Federation.
Gagloev however called hold, without delay, consultations with the Russian side on all issues related to the greater integration of South Ossetia and the Russian Federation.
On May 13, South Ossetian authorities announced Mr Bibilov’s signing of a decree holding a referendum, prompting the historical goal of the inhabitants of the small Caucasian territory who joined Russia, where it was bordered.
We’re going homeMr. Bibilov commented on Telegram messaging, it added the time has come to unite. South Ossetia and Russia are together. This is the beginning of a great new story.
Anatoly Bibilov failed to be re -elected to the post of President at the beginning of the month and Russia has expressed hope that his successor to this post, Alan Gagloyev, will ensure continuity in contact with Moscow.
Freedom is recognized by Moscow
South Ossetia was at the center of the Russo-Georgian war in 2008, following which the Kremlin recognized its independence as well as another Georgian breakaway region, Abkhazia, and built military bases there.
The announcement of President Gagloev arrived on the 91st day of the Russian army’s invasion of Ukraine, where the separatist regions of Donetsk and Lugansk, whose independence was also recognized by Moscow, both expressed their interest in an integration with Russia.
The offensive against Ukraine resulted in an outpouring of unity in Georgia.
In August 2008, Russia attacked Georgia, whose government was fighting pro-Russian militias in that region, after they bombed Georgia villages.
The fighting ended after five days with the establishment of a European Union-led ceasefire, but left more than 700 dead and thousands of ethnic Georgians evacuated.
In March, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Karim Khan, called for the issuance of warrants of arrest against three current and former South Ossetian officials, in connection with war crimes committed against ethnic Georgians.
Among the crimes charged against them are torture, illegal detention, hostage taking and deportation of people.
Last year, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Russia was responsible for human rights abuses after the war.
Source: Radio-Canada
