The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia is extremely concerned about the provocative decision of the Russian occupation regime to extend the detention of Zaza Gakheladze, an illegally detained Georgian citizen, for 12,5 years.

“This illegal decision represents a true reflection of Russia’s destructive plans to create destabilization in Georgia, although Moscow continues making declarative statements about its desire to dialogue and cooperation.

It is particularly concerning that the decision on maintaining Zaza Gakheladze in illegal detention was taken amid the 21 January Judgement by the European Court of Human Rights, which unequivocally ruled that the Russian Federation is occupying Georgia’s indivisible regions and held Russia, as the power exercising effective control, responsible for grave human rights abuses on the ground. Such illegal actions, taken amid Russia’s intensified steps towards annexation, further aggravate the already difficult security and humanitarian situation on the ground, create a threat of escalation of tensions and deliberately hinder the efforts that have been made in the peace negotiations towards the conflict resolution.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia calls upon the Russian Federation to cease severe violations of human rights in the occupied territories, respect Georgia"s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and fulfil its international obligations, inter alia, the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement and withdraw its forces from Georgia’s territory.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia appeals to the international community to give a due assessment to yet another provocation by the Russian occupation regime and take effective measures to ensure immediate release of the illegally detained Georgian citizen.

Georgia will further utilize all diplomatic and legal instruments at its disposal and raise the issue at the highest level in all relevant international formats in order to stop illegal kidnappings of people along the occupation line and gross violations of the fundamental rights and freedoms. We will continue mobilizing the international community and spare no effort to ensure that the Georgian citizen returns to his family in a timely and safe manner”, - reads the statement of the Ministry.