12 August 2008, 23:45
Russia and Georgia announce mourning on casualties in South-Ossetia
Georgia has announced three-day mourning after the recent events that led to loss of militaries and peaceful residents. The decision was made public by Elias the Second, Catholicos-Patriarch of Whole Georgia, at his sermon in the Sacred Trinity Cathedral.
The fact of announcement of the mourning in Georgia was reported to the "News-Georgia" Agency at the press service of the Patriarchy of Georgia. Under decision of the country, Georgia will half-mast its national flags during this period.
So far, no final death-roll and count of wounded yet does not refer to. At present, collection of information, updating of lists and identification of bodies are underway.
Also in Russia, August 13 was announced the mourning day for the victims of the conflict in South Ossetia. The respective decree "On Announcing Mourning in Context of Humanitarian Catastrophe in South Ossetia" was signed by President Dmitri Medvedev, as reported today by the press service of Russian leader.
The decree states the fact of genocide of South-Ossetian people and practical complete destruction of the city of Tskhinvali and other settlements, which resulted in humanitarian catastrophe in South Ossetia.
"The events resulted in numerous victims among the peaceful population of South Ossetia and in losses among the peacekeeping contingent of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation," the ITAR-TASS quotes the decree.
