The Interim Commission on Restoration of Territorial Integrity and De-occupation Issues and the Education, Science and Culture Committee heard the Deputy Director of the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation, David Lomitashvili on Occupied Cultural Heritage.

The Chair of the Commission, Irakli Beraia opened the joint sitting speaking about illegal detention of Georgian doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili and the situation on the occupied territories: “Let me once again expressed our concern about illegal detention of Georgian doctor, Vazha Gaprindashvili detained two weeks ago by the occupation regime. Besides, they have also established the restrictions of movement towards Akhalgori for men and youth along with the blocked Enguri Bridge passage. These are the grave consequences of daily occupation. Our citizens have to pay the daily price – their own lives, health, freedom and gross violation of fundamental rights. The occupation force shall stop illegal actions and fulfill the cease-fire agreement and the commitments assumed under the international law. Once again, I would appeal to our partners and international society to make further steps and intensify pressure on the occupation forces to achieve liberation of Georgian doctor in the shortest period and to make Russian Federation fulfill all assumed commitments”.

D. Lomitashvili introduced the extensive presentation on damage of cultural monuments in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region, their illegal reconstruction etc.

The Agency lacks the effective leverage to prevent similar vandalism and counts only on the international organizations. He introduced the visual footage of the works inflicted to Ilori St. George Church, St. Simon the Zealot Church, Likhni Mother of God Dormition Church and Drandi Church in Abkhazia along with the information about the situation in Tskhinvali region and especially in Djava.

He introduced the illegal restoration facts to Kheiti Arch-Angel Church, Ivane Machabeli House Museum, Zguderi St. George Church, Achabeti Fortress and Geri St. George Church and spoke about deliberate elimination of Georgian identity.

After the presentations, the sitting was resumed in camera.