State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili has commented on Vazha Gaprindashvili’s case.

"According to our information, Vazha Gaprindashvili will be released in a few days. Now all efforts are aimed at ensuring that he returns to his family as soon as possible – to his wife, Mrs. Tamila, and his daughters, whom I visited yesterday. He will return to his professional career, which he always highly performs. He treated both Ossetian and Abkhaz patients. He has made Hippocrates Oath. I am sure, by the principles of human dignity and civility he will be able to continue this work very soon.

According to our information, Mr. Vazha's health condition is normal. We received such information through several channels. Including their side. And we regularly check it via the Hotline.

I can't provide you more information about the sources, but of course when I make a statement I have a reason to do so. Obviously, our efforts are now fully focused on getting Mr. Vazha released soon. Today he is a symbol of what is the main challenge of the country and what we should overcome.

I have great respect for Mr. Vazha. I want to thank him and his family for their endurance. It's not easy.

He is a very highly qualified doctor. He repeatedly assisted patients when they arrived in Tbilisi. I am sure that even after this incident he and his colleagues, who are justly anxious about this unconscious act, will continue to treat patients in good faith regardless of their ethnicity. They said it themselves. These are the people I respect and of course doctors have no boundaries, especially in their own country”, - said Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.

Yesterday, the State Minister under the instruction of the Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia met with the family of Vazha Gaprindashvili and provide them with detailed information about the steps made by the State in order to release Vazha Gaprindashvili.