Occupation Regime Extends Illegal Prison Term of Arrested Georgian Citizen

The State Security Service of Georgia confirms that the occupation regime has extended the illegal prison term of Georgian citizen Khvicha Mghebrishvili, who was detained by the Russian forces near the so-called Administrative Boundary Line. 

He has been sentenced to two months of preliminary detention.

The Agency further reports that "All the available mechanisms have been activated to release him." 

The de facto State Security Committee of South Ossetia reported on Thursday that Georgian citizen Khvicha Mgebrishvili intended to collect so-called "Bat cocoons”, for subsequent sale in Georgia for USD 5,000 per piece. They added that the man even pleaded guilty. 

Family members of the detainee describe the above allegation as "absurd" and "ridiculous." They presume that the detained man had talked about bats under pressure or simply joked.