The News in Brief
Monday, July 31, 2023
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Mikheil Saakashvili and Sopo Tchkonia to Launch International Initiative to Rescue Abducted Children in Occupied Ukraine
In a Facebook post, the third president, Mikheil Saakashvili, announced the establishment of an international program/initiative in collaboration with Sopo Chkhonia to provide medical and humanitarian aid to missing and remaining children in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
Saakashvili called upon his supporters in Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia to actively participate in this cause by assisting in information gathering and contributing to the rescue efforts for these children.
"At least 15,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted from the occupied territories of Ukraine, forcibly adopted into families of the occupying country, and placed in orphanages. This war has already claimed the lives of 535 children, leaving many others orphaned and in search of their relatives and the Ukrainian state's assistance.
Even in the conditions of my poor health, I am deeply affected by the tragedy of these children, both as a parent and as a Georgian citizen of Ukraine.
Tchkonia has vast experience in humanitarian work. I request all my supporters in Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia to join us in this endeavor, helping us gather information and facilitating the evacuation of the children.
We will have our own YouTube channel where we will promptly provide you with the latest information. The initiative will be launched on August 2. Please provide me with complete information at the address: Forhelp114@gmail.com," Saakashvili wrote on the social network.
Two Georgian Citizens Illegally Detained by Russian Occupation Forces Finally Released After Six Months Imprisonment
According to the information from the State Security Service, Sergo Gugutishvili and Tamaz Kakhabrishvili, who had been illegally detained by Russian occupation forces in the Gori municipality near the village of Koshka, are now free and currently in the territory controlled by the central government.
The State Security Service stated, "Regarding the illegal detention of the mentioned individuals, constant communication was maintained through the hotline. The EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) and the co-chairs of the international discussions in Geneva were directly involved in the process. Additionally, the central government regularly raised the issue of their illegal detention and immediate release during meetings held in the formats of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) and the Geneva International Discussions."
According to the State Security Service, the authorities, in collaboration with international partners, continue their efforts to secure the release of all persons in illegal detention, particularly those in the occupied Tskhinvali region and occupied Abkhazia.
Sergo Gugutishvili and Tamaz Kakhabrishvili were arrested by representatives of the occupation forces on January 2, 2023. Local media reports indicate that the Tskhinvali de facto court sentenced them to six months of imprisonment in a case related to "illegal crossing of the border." Their sentence expired on July 28, leading to their release.
Mikheil Saakashvili and Sopo Tchkonia to Launch International Initiative to Rescue Abducted Children in Occupied Ukraine
Saakashvili called upon his supporters in Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia to actively participate in this cause by assisting in information gathering and contributing to the rescue efforts for these children.
"At least 15,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted from the occupied territories of Ukraine, forcibly adopted into families of the occupying country, and placed in orphanages. This war has already claimed the lives of 535 children, leaving many others orphaned and in search of their relatives and the Ukrainian state's assistance.
Even in the conditions of my poor health, I am deeply affected by the tragedy of these children, both as a parent and as a Georgian citizen of Ukraine.
Tchkonia has vast experience in humanitarian work. I request all my supporters in Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia to join us in this endeavor, helping us gather information and facilitating the evacuation of the children.
We will have our own YouTube channel where we will promptly provide you with the latest information. The initiative will be launched on August 2. Please provide me with complete information at the address: Forhelp114@gmail.com," Saakashvili wrote on the social network.
Two Georgian Citizens Illegally Detained by Russian Occupation Forces Finally Released After Six Months Imprisonment
The State Security Service stated, "Regarding the illegal detention of the mentioned individuals, constant communication was maintained through the hotline. The EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) and the co-chairs of the international discussions in Geneva were directly involved in the process. Additionally, the central government regularly raised the issue of their illegal detention and immediate release during meetings held in the formats of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) and the Geneva International Discussions."
According to the State Security Service, the authorities, in collaboration with international partners, continue their efforts to secure the release of all persons in illegal detention, particularly those in the occupied Tskhinvali region and occupied Abkhazia.
Sergo Gugutishvili and Tamaz Kakhabrishvili were arrested by representatives of the occupation forces on January 2, 2023. Local media reports indicate that the Tskhinvali de facto court sentenced them to six months of imprisonment in a case related to "illegal crossing of the border." Their sentence expired on July 28, leading to their release.