17 prisoners exchanged in Georgia-Abkhazia-South Ossetia hostage swap

A hostage exchange has taken place today between Georgian, Abkhazian and Ossetian prisoners at Enguri Bridge today, along the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) between Georgia and occupied Abkhazia.

Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality reported the Abkhazian and Ossetian sides handed over 13 hostages to Georgia "who had been illegally detained for 6-7 years”. 

In return Georgia offered four prisoners to de facto Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia).

Abkhazian and South Ossetian de facto forces arrested 13 people for illegally crossing the so-called border into the breakaway regions, while four people were arrested by the Georgian side for being involved in a terrorist attack that took place in Gori on February 1, 2005. 

The prisoner exchange deal was able to be reached after Georgian, Abkhazian and South Ossetian officials engaged in direct negotiated for about an hour.

The Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality reported Gigo Valishvili, Giorgi Zasaevi, Ioseb Kochievi and Boris Turashvili had been released from Georgian custody.

De facto Abkhazia released the following prisoners: Omar Jgarkava, Jemiko Okujava, Malkhaz Rurua, Zurab Toradze, Shalva Khukhua, Eldari Tsaguria, Manuchar Shonia, Diana Shedania-Asaeva and Koba Gerliani.

De facto Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) released prisoners Jemal Midelashvili, Gela Iluridze, Teimuraz Grigalashvili and Igor Pukhaevi.