Whereabouts of Hieromonk Disappeared in Abkhazia still Unknown

The whereabouts of hieromonk Iona who disappeared in Abkhazia is still unknown. As the secretary of Patriarch father Michael Botkovel stated to Pirveli, within its modest financial means the Patriarchate tries to find out his whereabouts. However, there is no news yet.

According to him, the hieromonk Iona has gone to the occupied Abkhazia, particularly Gali region before. However, it seems like he has passed the region and has problems.

Monk Iona travelled to the occupied Abkhazia several days ago and has not showed up since then. According to the relative of the monk Zaal Maisuradze, “they were contacted from Abkhazia and were demanded to pay 100 000 dollars as ransom.” According to him, the hieromonk has gone to Abkhazia to visit Ilori St. George Monastery.

Information Agency Pirveli