Ramón Cugat Bertomeu, a Spanish surgeon of Barcelona FC specializing in orthopedic surgery and his wife Doctor Montserrat Garcia Balletbó released a statement in support of Georgian Doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili, who was illegally detained by the occupation forces.

The letter reads that the Spanish doctors had met Gaprindashvili in Barcelona one year ago when the Georgian doctor arrived for a graduate program.

“He is a kind, friendly and honest doctor whose wish to support people in need is so great that it deserves respect and appreciation. Doctor Gaprindashvili did not leave for Tskhinvali region for political interests. His only purpose was to visit a patient,” reads the letter.

The Spanish doctors call on the authorized persons for discussing the doctor’s case fairly and for his release as soon as possible to ease the pain of his family and friends.

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.