The United States Embassy to Georgia once again calls for the immediate release of well-known Georgian doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili detained in the breakaway region of Tskhinvali.
The government of the United States does not recognize as legitimate the de facto authorities in the occupied region of South Ossetia, nor does it recognize as legitimate today’s sentencing of Dr. Vazha Gaprindashivili. We again call on the de facto authorities, and those in the Russian Federation who have influence on them, to allow for the immediate release of Dr. Gaprindashvili. The United States sees this unfortunate case as a symptom of the much bigger problem of occupation and aggression. We note that this case has developed in the context of other detentions, of a worsening humanitarian situation that endangers lives when people cannot receive appropriate medical care, and of a worsening situation along the administrative boundary line (ABL) which unnecessarily affects the lives and livelihoods of people on both sides of the ABL. We are using all the tools available to us, including the Geneva International Discussions, where we raise this case and these broader issues with all relevant parties," the statement by the Embassy reads.
Doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili has been kept in custody by the de-facto government of Tskhinvali since Nov 9. He is facing "illegal border crossing charges." The doctor, however, has refused to plead guilty and reiterated that he is in the territory of his country.
Russian-controlled Tskhinvali has recently sentenced Vazha Gaprindashvili to 1 year and 9 months in prison.
