On November 17, the de-facto Committee for State Security of the separatist South Ossetia/Tskhinvali Region called on residents of the republic to be vigilant because of the escalating situation in Georgia.

"Taking into account the difficult socio-political situation in Georgia, as well as current threats to border security, aimed at creating preconditions for escalation of tension and carrying out various kinds of provocations by the forces of official structures of foreign states and several foreign public organizations, we urge the citizens of South Ossetia to remain vigilant," the State Security of South Ossetia added.

"The inhabitants of the [de-facto] republic were pointed out to the inadmissibility of implementation of any unauthorized public and public actions to discredit the authorities and administration of South Ossetia, as well as the policy pursued by the authorities to form a joint common security contour with the Russian Federation," the report said.

"We believe that the realization of basic individual rights related to public expression of one's own opinion, as well as the organization of various kinds of civil actions, can be carried out only within the framework of the criminal and administrative legislation in force on the territory of the Republic of South Ossetia in the sphere of ensuring public and political security," the committee noted.