Abkhazia: Garry Dzhopua released by his kidnappers

Garry Dzhopua, a citizen of Abkhazia, whose fate remained unknown after his kidnapping on October 9, is at large. The former hostage is almost unable to recognize his relatives; he is now examined at one of local hospitals.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed at the Gali ROVD (District Interior Division) that at night on November 8 Dzhopua was transported by unidentified persons across the frontier Inguri River near the village of Nabakevi, Gali District. He was brought to the post of Russian border guards with his eyes folded; then, they unleashed his eyes and let him free.

Abkhazian experts do not rule out that in the territory of Georgia, where Dzhopua was possible kept, he was treated with some psychotropic drugs.

"We are happy that Garry Dzhopua is alive and at home, although his health condition is a concern. We assume that when in captivity Dzhopua was exposed to some inhumane practices; however, it should be investigated," Lana Agrba, Head of the International Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Abkhazia, told the "Caucasian Knot".

Garry Dzhopua was a private carrier of agrarian products; he was captured by Georgian special services on October 9, 2010, and taken to some unknown place.

According to Ruslan Kishmariya, Plenipotentiary of President of Abkhazia in the Gali District, Dzhopua by ignorance drove into the territory of the village of Khurcha, Zugdidi District of Georgia, located in close vicinity of the village of Nabakevi, Gali District of Abkhazia.

Then, according to his story, Garry Dzhopua disappeared. On the second day after the incident, on October 10, the Abkhazian party addressed the Georgian one, but the latter denied the fact of Dzhopua's detention and capture.

On October 21, the Abkhazian MFA officially addressed the European Committee for Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment with a call to monitor the prisons of Georgia for establishing the whereabouts of David Sigua, who was kidnapped in February 2007, and Garry Dzhopua. However, the Committee gave no reaction to the appeal for help.