The EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia has released a statement on the decision of Georgia’s Russian-controlled region of South Ossetia to sentence Vazha Gaprindashvili to one year and nine months in prison.

‘Based on the media reports, the EUMM is aware of the decision to sentence Dr. Vazha Gaprindashvili to one year and nine months in prison.

This information was also confirmed by the EUMM hotline which has been actively used to exchange information between the sides since the detention of the Georgian doctor.

The EUMM hotline has been activated 85 times so far.

The EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia reaffirms that any restriction of freedom of movement provides the ground for concern,’ the EUMM statement reads.

The so-called trial in Tskhinvali was held earlier today. Occupied Tskhinvali court sentenced Vazha Gaprindashvili to one year and nine-months to prison.

Georgian doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili was illegally detained by Russian occupation forces near the occupation line with Akhalgori Municipality on November 9. He was sent to a two-month pretrial detention on November 15.

Vazha Gaprindashvili was charged with “illegally crossing the border” under article 322 of the criminal code of Russia.