Governor Demands Removal of JPKF Checkpoint

A Russian Peacekeeper checkpoint in Meghvrekisi, South Ossetian conflict zone.

Mikheil Kareli, the Governor of Shida Kartli region, which is partially covered by the South Ossetian conflict zone, sent a letter to the Commander of Joint Peacekeeping Forces (JPKF) Maj. Gen. Marat Kulakhmetov on February 13 requesting that the JPKF’s checkpoint in the village of Meghvrekisi be dismantled.

The village is located on the Georgia side of the administrative border with breakaway South Ossetia, south of the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali and situated in the JPKF’s zone of responsibility.

“We appeal him [Maj. Gen. Kulakhmetov] to withdraw illegally stationed military hardware from this location within one month, otherwise we will use all available means to secure their withdrawal,” Kareli told reporters at a news conference.

Two BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles are stationed at the observation checkpoint in Meghvrekisi, according to the JPKF.