Four ethnic Georgians remain in occupants` captivity Four ethnic Georgians remain in the captivity of the occupant regime in Gali district, Abkhazia, Georgia. They are forced to take the Abkhazian-Russian passports. These people were arrested for the second time and therefore, according to the occupant`s rules, they may be tried. The incident occurred on Saberio Tsalenjikha highway yesterday. The occupants stopped two vehicles, hospitalizing a child and an old woman to Zugdidi.

Georgia accuses Russia of another cynical step Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze has assessed the intention of Moscow to have visa free regime with the so-called South Ossetia region, as another cynical step made by Russia. This decision by Moscow is far from reality, because international society is well- informed that Moscow issues Russian passports to the residents of Georgia`s occupied region. `It must be also taken into consideration that this process takes place against the will of the residents of the occupied zone. It proves again that Russia violates International law`, Kalandadze noted. Vesti.ru reports that prospects of abolishing visa regime with the so-called South Ossetia will be discussed today on the negotiations to be held between Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of Tskhinvali puppet mode Murat Jioev.

Merchants of Vagzal Square are on Strike Several tens of merchants of Vagzal Square markets and supermarkets are on strike from this morning. They refuse to serve clients and sell products. As the merchants told InterpressNews, the protest is related to amendments made to the Tax Code, which are to come into force today.