Occupiers demand  Chorchana checkpoint  or Oconi icon in exchange for the release of Zaza Gakheladze

The release of an illegal Georgian prisoner in exchange for a unique icon or additional Georgian territory - the occupation regime in South Ossetia now demands that we ourselves  hand over some Georgian land to them. Their demands  refer  to  the Chorchana checkpoint or handing over the 10th century Okoni icon, which is preserved in the National Museum of  Georgia. In exchange, they will release Zaza Gakheladze, illegally detained for 9 months.

The occupants are trading in Georgian prisoners. Meanwhile, we have released recently detained Russian military personnel without any requests/preconditions. But Zaza Gakheladze himself says that he would rather spend 12 years in illegal detention in Tskhinvali than exchange his freedom for Georgian land or a historic icon.

In addition, an unheard of fact has become known, the Russians exhumated  the remains of Saint Bidzina Cholokashvili and the Eristavis of Ksani-, Shalva and Elizbari, who were buried in Ikorta church and their remains were  transferred  to  Russia, North Ossetia.

A few days ago, with,  Zaza Gakheladze’s  wife, his two children, and his father  were taken to Tskhinvali, where with  the help of international partners their meeting with Zaza was organized.

For the record,  in July 2020, Russian occupiers  first wounded Zaza Gakheladze in the leg in the village of Kvemo Chala, near the fortress of Skhvilo, on Georgian-controlled territory, and then abducted  him. On February 5, the so-called Tskhinvali Court sentenced him to 12.5 years in prison.