De facto Tskhinvali: rally against illegal conviction of Georgian citizen Gakheladze ‘a provocation’
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The de facto government of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region says that a rally planned by the family of illegally convicted Georgian citizen Zaza Gakheladze tomorrow near the occupation line ‘is a provocation.’
The family of Gakheladze is behind the rally which will take place in the village of Kvemo Chala in central Georgia at 13:00 tomorrow to demand the release of Gakheladze who was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison by the de facto Supreme Court of Tskhinvali back in February 2021.
However, Tskhinvali claims that the leader of civic movement Dzala Ertobashia (strength is in unity) David Katsarava has organised the rally and that several individuals are likely to ‘illegally cross the border’ during the process.
De facto Tskhinvali says that ‘this provocation will be disrupted in line with the law.’
Tskhinvali also states that ‘such provocations undermine peaceful negotiations.’
Katsarava has responded that the ‘family of Gakheladze and not me’ is behind the rally.
He stated that his movement only supports the family, adding that ‘no one will try to cross into the occupied territory. If someone tries, we will do our best to change his mind.’
Gakheladze was shot and illegally detained by Russian-controlled occupation forces in the summer of 2020.
Later he was found him guilty of ‘illegally crossing the border and attempted murder’ of a so-called border-guard.
Gakheladze’s father stated yesterday that the rally, which will take place on Zaza Gakheladze’s birthday tomorrow, aims ‘to attract further attention towards the issue and to push the government to activate its efforts for the release of the man.’
The international community has condemned the incident and has called upon Russia many times to allow the release of the man.
The Georgian government says that they are doing their utmost to make the de facto government release Gakheladze.