Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality responds to the publications that appears in the electronic version of the newspaper "Kviris Palitra" on July 19, as well as in the print version of July 9, and before – on July, 6 – in the news agency "Accent.com.ge". In these media outlets was published an incorrect information about the statements of the State minister Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.  

In particular, the journalist of “Kviris Palitra” asks the respondent - "State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili says that the central government of Georgia is unable to protect the citizen of Georgia because all attempts are in vain". And the news agency Accent.com.ge wrote these phrase as the words of the State Minister: "Yesterday the TV-story was prepared by “Rustavi 2”. In the story the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said that "the central government of Georgia is powerless to protect Georgian citizens because all attempts are in vain".

We clearly declare that such a thing has never been said by the State Minister. We would like to ask "Kviris Palitra" and Accent.com.ge - as the media outlets with high standards and credibility of journalistic ethics - to correct this inaccuracy in such sensitive issues.

The main priority of the State Minister's Office, as well as the peacekeeping policy of whole Government, is to take care of the people affected by the current occupation and we do it with all available mechanisms. Active efforts are directed against completely illegal and unfair processes in Tskhinvali and Akhalgori towards the local resident Tamar Mearakishvili.

The State Minister and her Office after the illegal detention of Tamar Mearakishvili immediately responded on this fact and demanded her immediate release. In addition, all the available mechanisms were used in order to support and help her.

Right now we are still working on this issue, we have all relevant communications in order to stop this illegal process and to ensure her the possibility of movement outside of Tskhinvali region. We will continue to make this effort, because it is a priority for us to protect human rights, especially when it comes to people beyond the barbed wires.