The head of the Patriarchate’s Public Relations Service, Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze, did not rule out that the Patriarchate may raise the issue of releasing persons currently in prison with the authorities once again.

According to Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze, it is a humane matter “to somehow intercede for the prisoners.”

“We do not rule out that we may have further discussions on this in the future. Right now, as you understand, these are such days. We have a Synod to hold and an expanded council to conduct, so a lot of resources are going into preparation for these. That’s why I cannot tell you exactly right now.

These people are our fellow citizens after all. Many of their families are parishioners, we have relations with them. It is simply a normal human thing to intercede for them in some way.

We can ask for the same thing seventy times seven, and if we ask, it may be granted to us,” the Archpriest stated.

For information: On December 31, Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze said on the TV channel “Ertsulovneba” that the issue of releasing prisoners had already been raised with the authorities three times, but the matter was not given any progress.

“We have raised the issue regarding prisoners three times — that those whose crimes can be considered minor might be released. Including, I myself spoke twice with the authorities regarding Mzia Amaghlobeli. Once, Metropolitan Shio personally raised this issue with the Prime Minister. The matter was not given any progress,” the Archpriest stated.