Writers, poets and representatives of different religious confessions expressed support to Doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili, illegally kept in imprisonment by the occupational regime, at National Library on December 27. Family members and friends of Doctor Gaprindashvili attended the meeting.

The gathered audience claimed that everything had to be done for the release of the imprisoned doctor.

“Vazha Gaprindashvili has become a symbol of struggle for freedom. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State to His Holiness Pope Francis will arrive in Georgia with an official visit on December 28. This will be yet another sign of support, I am sure,” said Bishop Giuseppe Pazotto, Head of the Roman Catholic Church in the Caucasus.

On December 29, freedom signal will be given by cars with audible beeping in Georgia and all cities in the world where Georgian emigrants live in solidarity of the 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.