Patriarch asked me to refrain from crossing into the occupied territories, so I take into account his request, - Mikheil Gakheladze, the father of Zaza Gakheladze, who is illegally detained in the occupied Tskhinvali, said. According to him, the government will be given another term and if Zaza Gakheladze is not released in a month, the whole family will move to occupied Tskhinvali.

Illegally detained Zaza Gakheladze turned 34 today, the family is holding another rally demanding his release.

"Today I was planning to move to the occupied territory, where my son has been illegally detained for almost a year, so that we could get attention.

Zaza turned 34 today, we met a lot of people during this period, the government, the representatives of the diplomatic corps, but nothing came of the result. Yesterday we met with the clergy who conveyed the request of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia to refrain from crossing into the occupied territories. Out of great respect for the patriarch, I take into account his request. The bishops also told us yesterday that a letter on behalf of His Holiness will also be sent to the Russian Patriarch asking for help. We will give another term to the government and if Zaza Gakheladze is not released in a month, the whole family will move to occupied Tskhinvali", - Mikheil Gakheladze said.

For the record, 33-year-old Zaza Gakheladze was detained by the representatives of the occupation forces on July 11, 2020 at the occupation line. Gakheladze is accused of illegally crossing the so-called border and opening fire on "borderguards". Zaza Gakheladze was wounded during the illegal detention.

On February 5, the so-called court sentenced Zaza Gakheladze to 12 years and 6 months in prison, for illegally crossing the so-called border and firing on "borderguards".