Family of Detained Georgian Doctor Holds Rally near Occupation Line
Family and friends of Georgian doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili held a peaceful demonstration near the occupation line on December 15, a month after he was sent to two-month pretrial detention “for deliberately crossing the border” of the occupied Tskhinvali region.
The demonstrators gathered near the Republic Square in central Tbilisi and went to the village of Odzisi close to the occupation line.
As the participants of the rally explained, one of the main purposes of the demonstration was for the Ossetian people to hear their voices and demands.
Gaprindashvili’s wife, Tamila Lapanashvili, thanked the demonstrators for joining the family and asked everyone to make cautious remarks until the Georgian doctor is released from Tskhinvali custody and returned home.
As a symbol of the fact that the profession of a physician has no boundaries, the demonstrators sent a white coat attached to the air balloons behind the barbed wires.
“On behalf of the family, we want to thank you all!
"It was a very emotional day for us, thank you so much for the love and support. There were so many people at the demonstration held in support of doctor Vazha today, while many of them were unable to attend it for some reason, however, we, his family, feel their support, which greatly strengthens us.
"We gathered today to voice our concern over the doctor detained behind the barbed wire who found himself in this situation while performing his professional debt, and we also wanted to reach our voice to the Ossetian people, as Georgians and Ossetians have lived together for centuries under the sky of the Caucasus, and we are sure that we still have centuries ahead. The main principle of our coexistence was based on bravery and tolerance, and the difficulties that have been bothering us all lately can be overcome through awakening these qualities!
"Doctor Vazha serves to his job, his primary goal is to take care of human health, regardless of nationality or position. We are sure that any Ossetian person feels it as well.
"We are well aware that even a single word voiced during any statement can harm the condition of the detained doctor. That is why our form of protest is non-violent, peaceful and serves the single purpose - freedom to doctor Vazha.
"The profession of physician has no boundaries. As a symbol of this, we have sent the white coat with air balloons behind the barbed wires,” Vazha Gaprindashvili's family said.
The well-known Georgian doctor was abducted when visiting a patient near the village of Orchosani on November 9 and was charged with 'illegally crossing the border,' of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region. Later, he was sent to two months of pretrial detention.
Along with him, three other citizens were illegally detained by Russian-controlled occupation forces between 9 and 11 November.
The other detainees were released from Tskhinvali on November 14.
By Ana Dumbadze
Related Story: Illegally Detained Georgian Doctor Sent to Pretrial Detention