2021-07-14
Through our Government's intensive work, and the engagement of the Patriarch and the President, Zaza Gakheladze has been released, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili told the press in Ergneti, where he welcomed Zaza Gakheladze, who was released from illegal detention today.
The Head of Government thanked every participant of the effort toward Zaza Gakheladze's release.
"Above all, I would like to thank Zaza, a true hero and courageous man, indeed. Through our Government's intensive work, and the engagement of the Patriarch and the President-and our Government has been mobilized and engaged in active negotiations over these months-Zaza Gakheladze has been released. I would like to thank everyone involved in this process. I thank our Patriarch, President, and every Ministry, every employee of the Foreign Ministry, the State Security Service's leadership, the Interior Minister, everyone engaged in this process. Above all, I would like to thank the family of this hero, his mother, father, wife, and children, who are expecting his return," Irakli Garibashvili said.
The Prime Minister arrived in Ergneti in the company of Head of the State Security Service Grigol Liluashvili, Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri, and Metropolitan Andria of Gori and Ateni.
The Head of Government personally accompanied newly released Zaza Gakheladze to his home in the village of Kvemo Chala and congratulated his family on Zaza's release.
Zaza Gakheladze's family personally thanked the Prime Minister for his efforts.
On July 11, 2020, Zaza Gakheladze was illegally detained by representatives of the occupation regime. Tskhinvali's de facto supreme court sentenced him to 12,5 years in prison.
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Zaza Gakheladze's family on May 8 and promised them that Zaza Gakheladze would be released.
Press Service of the Government Administration