Two Georgian citizens, who were unlawfully detained by the Russian occupation forces near the village of Akhalubani, Gori municipality, Tamaz Psitidze and Zurab Petriashvili, have been freed.

According to the State Security Service of Georgia [SSSG], now they are on the territory controlled by the central Government.

“Upon receiving information about the illegal detentions, immediate action was taken, including activating the hotline and utilizing all available central government mechanisms. The incident was also reported to the Geneva International Discussions Co-chairs and international partners. The European Union Monitoring Mission was involved in the process.

The responsibility for any destructive actions carried out in the occupied regions of Georgia and along the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) lies with the occupation force.

The central Government, in cooperation with international partners, remains committed to actively working towards the release of all Georgian citizens unlawfully detained in the occupied territories”, - reads the statement of the SSSG.