"I cannot put my feelings into words," Zurab Abashidze, the Special Representative of the Prime Minister of Georgia for relations with Russia, commented on the decision by Russian-controlled Tskinvali to sentence detained Vazha Gaprindashvili to imprisonment.
"I cannot find words to express my feelings. Despite unprecedented support from the International Community and repeated appeals, Vazha Gaprindashvili has been kept incarcerated. This unlawful decision is exacerbating the already existing difficult situation as well as hampering progress in peacekeeping negotiations. I am not even saying anything about the situation in which Gaprindashvili's family is at this point. We have focused on the necessity of immediately freeing the detained doctor everywhere -- within all bilateral or multilateral formats and at all international organizations. The representatives of Russia have even issued hopeful statements. However, the outcome we have been faced with is dramatic," Abashidze declared and added that rigorous efforts would still be made to return the Georgian doctor to his homeland unharmed.
De-facto government of Tskhinvali has sentenced Vazha Gaprindashvili to 1 year and 9 months in prison.
