UNOMIG confirms fact of beating of local residents in Tagiloni village, Gali district, Abkhazia

A UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) patrol was launched on September 7 to carry out a preliminary investigation of an incident regarding alleged maltreatment of locals and rape of women by four uniformed Abkhazian customs officers in the Tagiloni village, Abkhazia's Gali district, on September 5-6.

The UNOMIG reports there was evidence of the beating of locals by four to six armed persons in uniforms; however, the rape of women could not be confirmed and neither did any local report it to the patrol.

"The Georgian side has deliberately disseminated such a report to create a negative background and discredit Abkhazian customs officers," said Zurab Konjaria, a representative of the Customs Committee of the self-proclaimed Republic of Abkhazia.

The case will be discussed during the regular quadrilateral meeting on September 11, 2003.