“Opening of Russian school in Akhalgori is the manifestation of russification policy. This is a continuation of the policy that has been carried out over years”. Such statement the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili made when assessing the opening of a Russian school in occupied region. 

According to her, the fact that Russian school opened in the region that is populated by ethnically Ossetian and Georgian population, where children are forbidden to study on their native language, is the real face of occupation.

"I think not only for ethnic Georgians or for us, those who are constantly talking about violations and problems, but for the Ossetian population it should be a very clear message about what Russian policy really is. And this does not serve to any of us. Including the protection of Ossetians identity.

We talked about these issues at the NATO-Georgia Commission session yesterday. The restriction of education in the native language is one of the most difficult forms of the manifestation, as it applies to children. People in Akhalgori are banned even from communicating with each other in their own language. All these steps are an open application for Russia that their only interest is russification”, - said Tsikhelashvili.

A Russian-language school was opened yesterday in occupied Akhalgori district. The event was attended by the so-called Ambassador of Russia in Tskhinvali and the representatives of the de facto government.