DISINFO: Georgia aims at infecting South Ossetians with Covid-19
SUMMARY
Amid the outbreak of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Georgia, the committee regards the appearance of people who may be carriers of the infection near the territory of South Ossetia as a deliberate provocation that could negatively affect the epidemiological situation in South Ossetia… Also, there are no “occupying forces” in South Ossetia. It is a state, recognised by a number of countries of the international community.
RESPONSE
The claim contains multiple disinformation narratives on coronavirus, Georgia and Russian-occupied territories of Georgia. In fact, local activists and the majoritarian candidate in Gori from opposition party United National Movement (UNM) held a demonstration near the occupation line to protest about the creeping occupation. It was not a secret gathering or provocation, aiming at infecting the South Ossetian population as the event was covered by media. Also, there is no secret patrolling alongside the administrative boundary line (ABL). The EU monitoring mission monitors the situation near the occupation line since 2008. EUMM has become the target of pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign earlier, claiming that the mission is involved in provocations and infects South Ossetians deliberately. See earlier claims here and here. The international community does not recognise South Ossetia as a state. Russia recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two breakaway regions of Georgia, as independent states right after the 2008 Russo-Georgian War. Only 5 states recognise these two regions - Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Syria and the Republic of Nauru. EU, US and other democratic countries support Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.