EU, US, OSCE welcome doctor Gaprindashvili’s release from Tskhinvali prison
Based on news from occupied Tskhinvali, Georgian doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili was pardoned by de facto President of the region Anatoly Bibilov. Photo: Giorgi Kakulia/Georgian PM's press office
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The international community has welcomed the release of well-known Georgian doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili from Tskhinvali prison.
European Union Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzel wrote on Twitter that he would also wish for the crossing points between the occupied Tskhinvali and the rest of Georgia to be reopened soon.
I very much welcome today’s release of Dr. Gaprindashvili, back to his family in time for New Year's. Let me at the same time recall the importance of taking immediate steps to reopen the crossing points.
— Carl Hartzell (@CarlHartzellEU) December 28, 2019
The U.S. Embassy also joined all Georgians and the international community in welcoming doctor Gaprindashvili home to spend the holidays with his family.
We welcome the news that Dr. Vazha Gaprindashvili has been released by the de facto authorities in South Ossetia”, the Embassy said.
We again call on the de facto authorities to open crossing points along the administrative boundary line and to allow freedom of movement for the local population and humanitarian access”, it added.
The OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger also noted that further detentions should be avoided and the freedom of movement guaranteed for all people, at all times.
Welcome the release of Dr. Gaprindashvili. Further detentions should be avoided and freedom of movement guaranteed for all people, at all times.
— Thomas Greminger (@gremingerosce) December 28, 2019
Georgian doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili, who was sentenced to one year and nine months in Tskhinvali prison, was released earlier today.
State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said Gaprindashvili's release from illegal detention follows "tremendous efforts undertaken" by the Government of Georgia and the international partners.
Dr. #VazhaGaprindashvili is released from illegal detention following tremendous efforts undertaken by the #GoG and International Partners. Many thanks to all of them for their role and support in this process! pic.twitter.com/8gmFuuUrk3
— Keti Tsikhelashvili (@TsikhelashviliK) December 28, 2019
President Salome Zurabishvili also thanked the international community for its involvement. "Unity and hope for the future have been strengthened!" she wrote on Twitter.