FOREIGN MINISTRY CALLS ON CERTAIN CATEGORY OF ARMENIANS TO AVOID VISITING GEORGIA

ARMENPRESS
Aug 24, 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS: Armenian foreign ministry has
again called on Armenian citizens who passed illegally from Russia
to Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia or South Ossetia (when
passing the border their passports are stamped by the authorities of
both self-proclaimed republics ) to refrain from visiting Georgia.

The ministry explained that under the amended Georgian legislation
passing from Russia to Abkhazia and South Ossetia is regarded a
criminal offence.

Therefore, it said, people who pass from Russia to both regions
through check points on their borders with Russia are subject to
criminal punishment. under article 344 of Georgia’s Criminal Code.

It said point 1 of this article envisages a sizable penalty for
offenders, while the point 2 envisages an imprisonment up to five years
if the border was violated by a group, who used force or violence to
do so.

The Armenian foreign ministry said this law is applicable to citizens
of all countries. It said there is one legal border check point on
Georgian-Russian border near Upper Lars, which was closed by Russia
for repair years ago and is not effective yet.