Georgia, Tbilisi, Dec. 31 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia/
37 citizens of Georgia are to meet the new year in captivity, reports the Voice of America. 15 Georgians are aboard the Greek tanker seized by Somali pirates on September 8. The campaign initiated to collect ransom for them in fact has failed. All the major charities refused to provide financial aid. Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili`s foundation is among them. As a result, the monthly trade union campaign collected only up to 60000 lari, while pirates demand one million dollars.
According to VOA, Batumi - origin sailor Oleg Nodia is aboard the Greek tanker "Hanibal 2 kidnapped on November 1.
The ship "Vasilios N" sailing under Georgian flag is held in captivity for already eight months. There are six Georgian sailors aboard. In May, the ship was transporting building materials from Turkey to Libya but because of the storm, part of the cargo got wet and the owner refused to accept it. After that, the Georgian sailors were left without salaries and food products. They live on a ship that has run out of fuel and therefore there is no electricity.
The Italian company, with which seamen signed contracts, left them in the lurch.
Another 15 Georgians held captive in the georgian occupied territories. 11 of them are enclosed in the Tskhinvali prison. The youngest one, Giorgi Elbakidze is 17 years old. He and Nick Razmadze, Vaja and Beck Takadze, will meet in captivity their first new year. Jemal Midelashvili, David Kapanadze and Demur Chighladze will meet their second New year in prison and the only prisoner of war, the Georgian Army Corporal Zviad Kobaladze will meet his third New year in captivity.
Four Georgian prisoners of war in Sukhumi. Yuri Sharia, Walter Gulua, Enver and Abesalom Dzandzava are all in prison Dranda. 53-year-old Sharia is held in captivity for the fifth new year.