EU calls for immediate release of Zaza Gakheladze, illegally detained in South Ossetia since July 2020

On 5 January, the EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell called for the immediate release of Zaza Gakheladze, a Georgian citizen illegally detained on 11 July 2020 at the South Ossetian Administrative Boundary Line. On 5 January 2021, the de facto authorities in the Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia extended the detention for a further twelve years and six months.

Since Gakheladze’s illegal detention, the EU has been urging his prompt release, including through the Hotline managed by the EU Monitoring Mission, within the framework of the Ergneti Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) and the Geneva International Discussions.

In this context, the European Union also reminds the Russian Federation of its responsibilities in line with the judgement of 21 January 2021 of the European Court of Human Rights.

The EU strongly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and will continue addressing the human rights and security situation of the conflict affected communities, the Ambassador said. 

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Press release

EU Monitoring Mission to Georgia

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