Irakli Bebua, who was illegally detained by the occupation regime, is now free and in territory controlled by the central government, according to information released by the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG).

“Irakli Bebua was illegally sentenced to nine years imprisonment, though, the actual duration of his illegal imprisonment amounted to four years and six months,” the statement reads.

The Security Service noted that during this period, various mechanisms were actively used to secure Bebua’s release from illegal imprisonment and monitor his health condition.

These included the “hotline” mechanism operated by the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), as well as all other negotiation and communication tools available to the central government.

“The central government of Georgia continues to work actively for the release of all Georgian citizens who remain in illegal detention in the occupied territories,” the State Security Service statement concluded.