An official in breakaway South Ossetia said three Georgians arrested last September “for violation of South Ossetian border”, were released on May 13.

“This step demonstrates the South Ossetian side’s readiness to further continue working on release of detainees and search for missing persons,” David Sanakoev, a human rights envoy of breakaway region’s leader, said in remarks posted on South Ossetian authorities’ website.

Three Georgian citizens, released on May 13, are residents of the village of Tvaurebi in Kspi district.

After talks with Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner, Thomas Hammarberg, in Tskhinvali on May 2, the South Ossetian side released three detainees and pledged to free three more detainees.