Anti-occupation movement rallies at Russian Embassy, demands Zaza Gakheladze's release
Anti-occupation movement rallies at Russian Embassy, demands Zaza Gakheladze's release

The anti-occupation movement Power is in Unity is rallying at the Russian Embassy in the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Monday.

The rally participants demand the release of unlawfully detained Georgian man Zaza Gakheladze and urge the Georgian government to take effective steps in this regard.

The movement members plan to hold a large-scale rally on Saturday near Skhvilo Fortress, where the Russian occupants apprehended  Zaza Gakheladze seven months ago.

“We demand the release of illegally detained Georgians. We must solve this problem together with the state, society, and international partners. More activity in this regard could discomfort the Russian government for its violent activities,” said Doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili, who was illegally detained by the occupation regime back in 2019.

Earlier this week, Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze has been sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison by the de facto Supreme Court of the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region.

Zaza Gakheladze, a local of Kvemo Chala village, Kaspi Municipality, was detained and wounded in his leg at Skhvilo Fortress on July 11. The occupied regime charged Gakheladze for an attempt to cross the so-called border illegally and for the attempted murder of a Russian soldier.