‘Local villagers are often detained on similar grounds but the doctor was a much more high-profile figure. Colleagues said he was trying to reach a patient,’- The New York Times writes about Vazha Gaprindashvili detained by separatists.

‘Georgia on Sunday demanded the release of a doctor detained by separatists after crossing into breakaway South Ossetia, which is controlled by Russia after a war between two ex-Soviet republics in 2008.

Vazha Gaprindashvili, president of Georgia’s Association of Orthopaedist and Traumatologists, was taken to South Ossetia’s regional center Tskhinvali on Wednesday and given two months of pretrial custody by the separatists, Georgia’s State security service has said. The separatists say he crossed over illegally.

Georgia’s foreign ministry said Gaprindashvili’s detention “highlights the alarming situation of human rights violations in the occupied territories”. Local villagers are often detained on similar grounds but the doctor was a much more high-profile figure. Colleagues said he was trying to reach a patient.

“We have mobilized the international community and spare no efforts to ensure that our citizen, Vazha Gaprindashvili, returns to his family in a timely and safe manner,” the ministry said in a statement”,- The New York Times notes.

State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said Vazha Gaprindashvili will be released in a few days.

As she added, all agencies are involved to release Vazha Gaprindashvili.

‘According to several reports, Vazha Gaprindashvili will be released in a few days,

His health condition is stable. The Red Cross had some problems and we work on that issue,’- Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said.

The United States Embassy to Georgia calls for “the immediate release” of Vazha Gaprindashvili.

The U.S. Embassy Statement on Detention of Dr. Vazha Gaprindashvili https://t.co/tcfA6VA0UG

— U.S. Embassy Tbilisi (@usingeo) 16 November 2019

Ketevan Tsikhelashvili responded to The United States Embassy to Georgia and thanked for support.

Thank you @usingeo for your steadfast support!
In this very difficult circumstances government of Georgia is doing its utmost to protect safety and interests of our citizens. Immediate release of Doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili is our main priority! https://t.co/gpg8v3UbA8

— Keti Tsikhelashvili (@TsikhelashviliK) 17 November 2019

Tbilisi-based doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili, who was illegally detained by Russian occupation forces near the occupation line with Akhalgori Municipality, has been sent to two-month pretrial detention, – State Security Service confirmed the information.

The decision was made by the Occupation Regime on November 15. Vazha Gaprindashvili was reportedly 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).