18:48, 7 December 2020

In Tskhinvali, activists stretch polyethylene films instead of tents on square

Protestors in central Tskhinvali stretch polyethylene films, December 6, 2020. Screenshot: https://www.instagram.com/p/CIdiR0IrrL4/

Participants of a round-the-clock protest action with the demand to punish the persons responsible for the death of Inal Djabiev stretched polyethylene films after the police banned them from setting up a tent.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that since December 4, relatives of Inal Djabiev, including his widow Oksana Sotieva, have been holding a protest action in the central square of Tskhinvali. Policemen did not let participants of the round-the-clock protest action in the centre of Tskhinvali buy hot drinks and prevented them from setting up a tent, Oksana Sotieva complained on December 6.

Inal Djabiev was detained within the case of an attempt on the life of Igor Naniev, the Interior Minister, and died on August 28. Photos of his body with traces of severe beatings appeared on the Internet. Djabiev's death was followed by Igor Naniev's resignation, followed by resignation of the Premier, Eric Pukhaev, and the entire government.

As of 10:40 p.m. Moscow time on December 7, the protest action on Teatralnaya Square continued. In particular, the mother of Inal Djabiev joined the protest.

A photo posted today by the "Bonvӕrnon" Telegram channel depicts polyethylene films stretched between the trees. The films cover a side of four benches set in a square. The benches covered to ensure that it is not cold to sit on them, and there are a brazier and a stove between the benches, with a combustible mixture for kindling nearby. Up to ten women in warm clothes are sitting on the benches, and some of them covered with blankets.

According to a post on the "Staraya Square" Telegram channel on December 6, media of South Ossetia do not cover the protest action on Teatralnaya Square and ignore it. The "Alania" state-run TV and Radio Company and the national "Ossetia-Iryston" TV Company did not mention the protest action in any of their news releases, while the "Ir" GTRK (State TV and Radio Company) devoted a short story to the Inal Djabiev's case in the final weekly broadcast and reported not about the protest action, but about the defendants released on recognisances not to leave.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 7, 2020 at 01:28 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.