A Russian citizen charged with illegally entering Georgia’s breakaway region of Abkhazia has gone on trial in Tbilisi.
Konstantin Rodionov pleaded guilty when proceedings opened on April 2 and said Russian authorities had not warned him that entering Abkhazia without Georgia’s permission was considered a crime by Tbilisi.
Rodionov was arrested at Tbilisi airport on February 17. He claims he arrived in Georgia with the intention of starting a business but had no idea entering Abkhazia without Georgia’s permission was illegal.
Russia recognized Abkhaz independence in 2008, following a five-day war with Georgia.
Georgia considers Abkhazia to be its territory and punishes anyone who enters the region without Tbilisi’s official permission.
Konstantin Rodionov pleaded guilty when proceedings opened on April 2 and said Russian authorities had not warned him that entering Abkhazia without Georgia’s permission was considered a crime by Tbilisi.
Rodionov was arrested at Tbilisi airport on February 17. He claims he arrived in Georgia with the intention of starting a business but had no idea entering Abkhazia without Georgia’s permission was illegal.
Russia recognized Abkhaz independence in 2008, following a five-day war with Georgia.
Georgia considers Abkhazia to be its territory and punishes anyone who enters the region without Tbilisi’s official permission.
