South Ossetia Faces State Terrorism: Foreign Minister

During the presidency of Mikheil Saakashvili, South Ossetia faced genuine state terrorism from Georgia, stated the republic's foreign minister Akhsar Jioev in an interview with RIA Novosti. He emphasized that during Saakashvili's tenure, Georgia exerted enormous pressure on the republic. As an example of this policy, he pointed to the establishment of a 'temporary administration' in South Ossetia by Georgian authorities.

The minister remarked, 'The country has essentially been subjected to state terrorism perpetrated by Georgia.' On the night of August 8, 2008, Georgia bombarded South Ossetia with 'Grad' multiple rocket launchers. Georgian troops attacked the republic and destroyed its capital, Tskhinvali.

In defending the residents of South Ossetia, many of whom had adopted Russian citizenship, Russia sent troops to the republic and expelled Georgian forces after five days of fighting. On August 26 of that year, Moscow recognized the sovereignty of South Ossetia and another former Georgian autonomous region, Abkhazia. Russian leaders have repeatedly stated that this recognition reflects current realities and is not subject to revision. Georgia still does not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia, considering them its own territories.