Georgian citizen illegally detained by occupation forces released

A Georgian citizen, illegally detained on Thursday by de facto authorities of Georgia's Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region, has been released, the State Security Service of Georgia said on Saturday.

Giorgi Terashvili was detained by the occupation forces in the territory adjacent to the village of Mejvriskhevi in central Georgia’s Gori municipality, near the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region.

Terashvili was released following the state authorities’ "active use" of the hotline mechanism - operated for developments along the occupation line - and other tools, the body said.

The SSS also noted the central Government, together with international partners, continued to “work actively” for the release of all Georgian citizens in illegal detention by the de facto authorities.

The occupation regime bears “full responsibility” for the “destructive actions” carried out in the regions and along the administrative line, the SSS stressed.