OSCE Chairperson condemns fatal shooting of Georgian police officer

ATHENS, 16 January 2009 - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, today condemned the fatal shooting of a Georgian police officer near the South Ossetian administrative boundary.

OSCE Military Monitoring Officers witnessed the officer being shot on Friday morning at the police station in the village of Knolevi.

"I condemn this unacceptable act of violence. I express my deepest condolences to the victim's family," Bakoyannis said.

"Such acts deliberately aggravate tensions and threaten stability in the region. All parties must understand their responsibility to prevent further violence."

Bakoyannis called for the killing to be investigated thoroughly and independently, and reiterated that the OSCE's 28 Military Monitoring Officers are continuing to patrol the area.

"Improving the security situation in Georgia is of the highest priority for the OSCE and the Greek Chairmanship," she said.