The Georgian Patriarchate publishes the letter sent by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia to the Russian Patriarch regarding Zaza Gakheladze.

“Your Holiness, I greet you with respect and I address you with the following issue: Zaza Gakheladze’s family members appealed to us for help.

Last summer, Z. Gakheladze from the village of Kvemo Chala, was hunting near his village, around the historic Skhvilo Fortress and existing temporary border with the Tskhinvali region, and was detained by Russian borderguard-military servicemen.

He is currently in the Tskhinvali isolator and has been sentenced to 12.5 years.

We appeal to you with the request to mediate Z. Gakheladze’s release from prison and his return to the family. We understand that this is a difficult issue, but it should be taken into account that Gakheladze found himself there unknowingly.

Your Holiness, you have helped us in similar situations many times before, for which we thank you once again and hope that you will do everything in your power at this time too”, - reads the letter of the Patriarch.