The family of Doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili, kept in imprisonment by the occupied regime, addresses all diplomatic missions acting in Georgia.

Based on the statement, the family thanks the diplomatic missions for support but expresses concern about the verdict made on December 20 into the Doctor’s case. The family describes the verdict as ‘devastating.’

“The ruling is distressing not only for the family but for the Georgian government and people, expecting patients and every citizen in the world for whom human rights represent the main value,” reads the statement.

Gaprindashvili’s family calls on diplomats for not weakening their efforts in the release of the Georgian doctor.

The occupied Tskhinvali court sentenced Vazha Gaprindashvili to one year and nine-months to prison during the trial on December 20.

Tbilisi-based doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili was illegally detained by Russian occupation forces near the occupation line with Akhalgori Municipality on November 9. He 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.