Georgia condemns 'so-called' presidential election in breakaway South Ossetia region

ANKARA

Georgia has condemned the second round of the "so-called" presidential election held in its breakaway region of South Ossetia on Sunday.

In a statement on Monday, the Foreign Ministry called the election an “illegal action that contradicts the fundamental principles and norms of international law and blatantly violates Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.”

“Under the Russian occupation and effective control any so-called election will not have legal consequences,” the statement added.

Tbilisi fought a five-day war with Russia in 2008, and lost control of both the regions, which were later recognized as independent states by Moscow.

The ministry said hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons and refugees, who were forced to migrate due to ethnic cleansing in breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, are still prevented from returning home.

“Fundamental rights and freedoms of people on the ground are blatantly violated,” the statement said.

Georgia also called on Russia to respect Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and implement its international obligations.

Alan Gagloyev, leader of the Nykhas political party, won the poll with 53.67% of the vote. The first round of the election was held on April 10.