Released Doctor: I'd Like to Thank and Apologise to Ossetian Population

Well-known Georgian Doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili, who was released from Russian-occupied Tskhinvali prison yesterday, held his first press briefing in Tbilisi on December 28, together with his wife Tamila Lapanashvili.

Gaprindashvili, who was detained by Moscow-backed Tskhinvali authorities for “illegal state border crossing” since mid-November, once again thanked everyone for their support, noting that “all Georgia contributed” to his release.

He said that the reason for his detention and sentencing in occupied Tskhinvali was not crossing the line of occupation but rather his insistence on the fact that he had not left the Georgian territory.

“From the first day of my detention, I kept telling the Russian border guards as well as representatives of Tskhinvali bodies that I had not left the territory of Georgia and that I was currently on Russian occupied Georgian land,” he told journalists.

Gaprindashvili also thanked the Ossetian people, noting that when refused to take meals prepared by the Tskhinvali prison administration, he was sent food by locals. “I would like thank the Ossetian population and to apologise to those who were inconvenienced because of me,” he noted.

His wife also talked to journalists, emphasizing that she appreciates everyone’s contribution to the doctor’s release.

“I would like to thank our state and state agencies, security service, Ministry for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, our international partners, our friends abroad, our civil society, all of you. Also, our notable singers, scientists, writers, etc.  Many people were involved in the process of Vazha’s release within the borders of Georgia or abroad,” she stressed, adding that the Gaprindashvili family will discuss further details with media in the future.

By Ana Dumbadze 

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