Separatists in S Ossetia poll win

Source: BBC

Supporters of the leader of Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia have won the first election there since last year's war between Georgia and Russia.

The three parties which support Eduard Kokoity won 91% of the vote in Sunday's parliamentary election, officials said.

Mr Kokoity said the results vindicated the area's declaration of independence last August, which only Russia and Nicaragua have recognised. Georgia still regards South Ossetia as part of its sovereign territory.

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Georgia's government said the election was illegal. The country's Reintegration Minister, Temur Iakobashvili, described it as "nothing but clownery, a farce and a redistribution of criminal power".

The European Union also dismissed Monday's vote and reiterated its "firm support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia".

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8076780.stm