Brothers illegally detained by Russian occupiers freed and returned to Georgian-controlled territory

Brothers Tariel and Leonide Tenadze, who were unlawfully detained by Russian occupation forces near the village of Plavismani in the Gori Municipality, have been released from illegal detention and are now back in Georgian-controlled territory, Georgia’s State Security Service (SSS) announced.

According to the SSS, the release process involved the active use of all available mechanisms, including the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM)-facilitated “hotline” communication channel, as well as other relevant tools at the disposal of the central government.

“The central government will continue to actively work towards the release of all Georgian citizens who remain in illegal detention in the occupied territories. The occupying power bears full responsibility for all destructive actions carried out in the occupied regions of Georgia and along the occupation line,” the statement said.