The Deputy Chief of U.S. Mission to OSCE Harry Kamian released a statement about the detention of Georgian Doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili by the occupational regime.

“The United States calls for the immediate release of Dr. Vazha Gaprindashvili, a well-known Georgian physician and president of the Association of Orthopedists and Traumatologists of Georgia, who was sentenced by the de facto authorities in Georgia’s South Ossetia region on November 15 to two months of pretrial detention.

Additionally, we again call for the immediate end to closures of the crossing points along the administrative boundary line.  We reiterate our full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. 

We once again urge Russia to fulfil all of its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, including the withdrawal of its forces to pre-conflict positions and the provision of free access for humanitarian assistance to these regions, as well to reverse its recognition of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states,” reads the statement.

Tbilisi-based doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili, who was illegally detained by Russian occupation forces near the occupation line with Akhalgori Municipality, was sent to 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. Tbilisi activated the hotline mechanism of EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) to Georgia.