Kidnapped resident of Gali District of Abkhazia released

Gocha Chaava, a resident of Bargebi village who was kidnapped in the Gali District of Abkhazia has been released and now is at home. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed about it by Laurens Kogoniya, head of the Gali ROVD.

According to Mr Kogoniya, Gocha Chaava returned home on January 13 at night; the District Prosecutor's Office continues the inquiry of the fact of his kidnapping.

Adgur Kogoniya, Public Prosecutor of the District, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the hostage was beaten, however, his relatives decided not to put him to hospital after his release; now he is treated at home.

According to the Prosecutor, during the interrogation Mr Chaava told that unknown persons kept him all the time in some unknown place blindfold. The hostage could not see the faces of his kidnappers, but he heard them speaking good Megrel language, without any accent.

According to Mr Kogoniya, initially the culprits demanded a ransom for Chaava's release in the sum of 50,000 US dollars, but finally they agreed to set him free for 5250 US dollars; additionally, his relatives had to sacrifice some golden jewellery - a chain with a cross and a ring.