Families seek Gov’t assistance as at least three Georgians remain in Russian captivity

The families of at least three Georgian citizens, who have been held captive by Russian troops during the Kremlin’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine, have made multiple appeals to the Government of Georgia to take action for their release.

One of the captives, Giorgi Chubitidze, turned 41 while in Russian captivity. His capture became public knowledge on November 14, 2023, following the release of a video by the Russian Ministry of Defense showcasing his interrogation. The footage also featured Giorgi Goglidze, another Georgian volunteer captured by the Russians.

Chubitidze’s mother informed the press this week that she has had “no communication” from her son for four months, except for a brief contact just before his capture. She urged the Georgian authorities to respond to the case.

Goglidze’s family also pleaded for help, expressing, “If anyone can assist me in safely bringing back my son… I want to know about his well-being,” adding no official agencies had reached out to her thus far.

Mamuka Mamulashvili, the leader of a Georgian legion fighting in Ukraine, has emphasized Russia’s reluctance to include foreigners, particularly Georgians, in prisoner exchange lists. This, coupled with their tendency to impose maximum penalties, presents “significant challenges” in securing the release of these captives, he noted.The Georgian foreign office issued an official statement in November last year regarding the matter, pledging to utilize international mechanisms to protect the constitutional rights of the two Georgian citizens captured by Russia that time.