The State Security Service released information about the illegal detention and release of a US citizen:
"The hotline has been activated since the moment of illegal detention, the co-chairs of the EUMM and the Geneva International Discussions have been informed. A few minutes ago, we took an American citizen to a territory controlled by the central government, who is in Georgia for tourism purposes and was illegally detained by the Russian occupation forces. The hotline has been activated since the arrest, information has been provided to the EUMM in Georgia, as well as to the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions, and all available means have been put in place to bring the illegally detained US citizen into Georgia and to release him from unlawful captivity in a timely manner -Says Irakli Antadze, the representative of the SSG.