EU calls for release of Georgian teenagers held in breakaway region

Nov 12, 2009, 14:16 GMT

Brussels - The European Union on Thursday called for the release of four Georgian minors held in the Russian-controlled breakaway province of South Ossetia.

'The European Union expresses its deep concern with respect to the recent detentions of Georgian citizens, especially the detention of four minors at the administrative boundary line to South Ossetia, Georgia, on 4 November and urges for a rapid release of all detained persons,' read a statement issued by the EU's Swedish presidency.

The 27-member bloc recalled the need to take into account the specific rights of underage detainees, as envisaged by the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child, and offered its services as a mediator in the dispute.

Georgia, which fought a war with Russia over the breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia last year, Tuesday accused the Kremlin of escalating tension through a 'chain of extremely dangerous and sordid provocations which has recently acquired the form of a hunt for people.'

The statement from the Georgian foreign ministry came in response to the arrest by Russian forces of five Georgian citizens accused of fishing illegally in the Black Sea.

The four teenagers, who were being detained in South Ossetia in a separate incident, have been accused of carrying explosives and grenades.

Officials from Russia and Georgia held an eighth round of talks in Geneva on Wednesday and agreed to hold a fresh round of talks on January 28.

The EU on Thursday reiterated its view that South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgia and threw its weight behind the Geneva talks, calling on 'all parties to use their influence to prevent incidents of this kind from taking place.'