US Mission to OSCE Calls for Immediate Release of Georgian Doctor

The US mission to OSCE calls for the ‘immediate release’ of an acclaimed Georgian physician and president of the Association of Orthopedists and Traumatologists of Georgia, Vazha Gaprindashvili. The doctor was abducted by occupation forces on November 9 and has been sentenced by the de facto authorities in South Ossetia to two months' pretrial detention for ‘deliberately crossing the border.’

“We reiterate our full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.  We once again urge Russia to fulfill all of its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, including the withdrawal of its forces to pre-conflict positions and the provision of free access for humanitarian assistance to these regions, as well to reverse its recognition of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Tskhinvali) as independent states,” the statement reads.

The US Mission to OSCE statement further calls on Russia to fulfill all of its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, meaning the withdrawal of its forces to pre-conflict positions. Full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia is emphasized.

By Elene Dzebisashvili