“EU demands immediate release of Zaza Gakheladze”

EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzel visited the so-called occupied Tskhinvali. Responds to the verdict handed down by the court against Zaza Gakheladze.

Today, the de facto authorities of South Ossetia in the breakaway region of Georgia have extended the illegal detention of Mr. Zaza Gakheladze for twelve years and six months.

The European Union demands the immediate release of Mr Gakheladze.

Following his unlawful arrest on 11 July 2020, the European Union has been urging his immediate release, including through the EUMM hotline and the Ergneti Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) and the Geneva International Discussions.

In this context, the European Union also reminds the Russian Federation of its responsibility in accordance with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights of 21 January 2021.

The EU strongly supports Georgia 's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and will continue to address the human rights and security situation of people affected by the conflict across its administrative borders. Hartzel.