Brother of pilot captured in Congo claims he is still alive

My brother is still alive and needs help, - said Gia Osorauli,(the brother of pilot Ioseb Osorauli who was captured in the Congo) at a press conference at the Human Rights Centre today.

According to Gia Osorauli, he recently visited several countries, has a number of sources, current information and evidence that his brother is alive. According to him, Ioseb Osorauli is being kept in captivity together with a Belgian and a Romanian citizen.

Osorauli’s family and lawyer blame the State for indifference and of not taking appropriate steps.

"He says the State has been in communication and contact with the family. However, they have done nothing for a year," - said Gia Osorauli.

According to the Human Rights Centre, which is providing legal assistance to the Osorauli’s family, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed over materials to the Prosecutor's Office for investigation. The Prosecutor's Office, in turn, has applied several times for the Osorauli’s family to be granted victim status.

The Human Rights Centre demands that:

• the Government of Georgia take specific steps to protect its citizens;

• under the supervision of the Prime Minister, it setsup a special joint working group, with the participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Security Services, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor's Office and the missing pilot’s brother Gia Osorauli;

• the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia ensure that the case is investigated effectively; 

• Soso Osorauli’s family are granted victim status.