The EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia “welcomes with relief the release of Zaza Gakheladze today, after a year of continuous efforts for this positive outcome, including through the Hotline and extensive discussions within the Ergneti IPRM format.”
The Mission welcomes with relief the release of Mr. Zaza Gakheladze today, after a year of continuous efforts for this positive outcome, including through the Hotline and extensive discussions within the Ergneti IPRM format.
— EUMM Georgia (@EUMMGeorgia) July 14, 2021
Welcome news that Zaza Gakheladze is free again.
— Toivo Klaar (@ToivoKlaar) July 14, 2021
Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze was released from prison earlier today. He has already reunited with his family.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri arrived in Ergneti village, adjacent to the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region, to meet him.
“Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze, imprisoned by the occupation forces in Russian-occupied South Ossetia for over a year now, has been freed by concerted efforts of Georgian authorities and Georgia’s international partners. Russian occupation of Georgian territories should end!” tweeted the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze, imprisoned by the occupation forces in Russian-occupied “South Ossetia” for over a year now, has been freed by concerted efforts of Georgian authorities and Georgia’s international partners.
Russian occupation of Georgian territories should end!
— Georgian Dream (@GeorgianDream41) July 14, 2021
Parliament Speaker Kakha Kuchava also echoed the recent release, saying that “after being illegally detained for more than a year, Zaza Gakheladze will be back to his family. With the consistent support of ’s strategic partners, the occupation will end soon! Occupation is temporary.”
After being illegally detained for more than a year, Zaza Gakheladze will be back to his family ? With consistent support of ??’s strategic partners the occupation will end soon! #OccupationIsTemporary
— Kakha Kuchava (@kkuchava) July 14, 2021
“We spared no effort to bring this person back to the family, with his children, friends and relatives,” declared Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri.
“Tireless work, direct involvement of all relevant agencies, the state, and high-ranking government officials resulted in Zaza Gakheladze’s release,” highlighted the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Tea Akhvlediani.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani also welcomed a humanitarian solution to the issue that further proves the crucial role of Geneva Discussions and IPRMs. He pledged that the government would continue its peaceful efforts to ensure the release of all other Georgian citizens from illegal custody.
?#ZazaGakheladze is released from illegal detention!
We welcome t/humanitarian solution of t/issue that further proves important role of #GenevaDiscussions & #IPRMs. ?? Gov will continue its peaceful efforts 2 ensure release of all other #Georgia|n citizens from illegal custody.— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) July 14, 2021
MP Nikoloz Samkharadze expressed the deepest gratitude to all our international partners who supported us in releasing Gakheladze from Tskhinvali prison.
Zaza Gakheladze is free!!! I express deepest gratitude to all our international partners who supported us in releasing Gakheladze from Tskhinvali prison.
— Nikoloz Samkharadze (@Samkharadze79) July 14, 2021
Zaza Gakheladze was sentenced to 12 years and six months in Tskhinvali prison by the de facto Supreme Court of the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region. He was detained and wounded in his leg at Skhvilo Fortress on July 11.
The occupation regime charged him for an attempt to cross the so-called border illegally and for the attempted murder of a Russian soldier.
