South Ossetian Side Released Georgian Policeman

Gocha Gvimradze, a Georgian policeman who was abducted early on January 20 in the South Ossetian conflict zone, was released later on Thursday by the South Ossetian side. However, another policeman, who was detained together with Gvimradze, still remains under custody in the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali.

According to the Georgian officials the South Ossetian side demands release of Oleg Pukhaev, an Ossetian who was arrested by the Georgian police in the South Ossetian conflict zone on January 19, in exchange of release of the Georgian policeman. According to the Georgian Interior Ministry Oleg Pukhaev was wanted for alleged murder case committed last February in the Georgian village of Tamarasheni in the conflict zone.