Moscow - Ria Novosti
The government of the Georgian breakaway republic of South Ossetia has restricted entry to
the state ahead of the presidential elections on November 13, South Ossetian Foreign
Minister Murat Dzhioyev said in an interview with Os Radio.
\"The entry rules are restricted for some categories of foreign citizens and people without
citizenship...the restriction does not affect Russian citizens serving at the Ossetian
military base, FSB border officials...and people heading to South Ossetia on family
matters,\" Dzhioyev said.
The restrictions are for security reasons and do not contravene the law, the minister said.
\"All these measures are taken in compliance with the current legislation and Russian-
Ossetian agreement on visa-free trips,\" Dzhioyev said.
Another breakaway republic, Abkhazia has recently inaugurated its newly elected President
Alexander Ankvab.
Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008, following a five-day war with
Georgia. The war began when Georgia attacked South Ossetia, where most residents are
Russian passport holders.
Russia\'s decision has been condemned by many nations. Georgia considers the two regions,
formerly included in the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic until 1991, as part of its
sovereign territory.