On 2 August 2016, the thirty-eighth meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) chaired by the United Nations was held with the participation of Georgian, Abkhaz, Russian and EUMM representatives. The meeting took place in a positive atmosphere, in which the participants discussed various issues on the agenda.
Based on their undertakings to provide feedback on cases discussed at the previous IPRM meeting, the Georgian and Abkhaz participants exchanged useful updates on the ongoing investigations and subsequent legal proceedings of the 19 May fatal incident at the crossing point in Khurcha village, the fate of a missing person from Gali town since early 2007, and the killing of an Abkhaz serviceman in October 2008. They also discussed a new case on the agenda – a double murder, which took place on 29 December 2011 in the Gali district.
Crossing modalities for the local population and representatives of international organizations at the central crossing point [Inguri Bridge], and other related issues, which might have an impact on the freedom of movement were discussed in detail. The participants exchanged information on the arrangements for the schoolchildren, who cross from one side to another to attend schools, and agreed to ensure smooth crossings for the upcoming academic year.
It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the IPRM in Gali on 8 September 2016.