My friend sent out this plea for help not long ago after discovering his Georgian host father was still in Gori and was hiding out in his basement as Russian troops were heard outside looting and perhaps worse. I have not heard from my contact in the delegation of international high-level diplomats to Gori to investigate but will post once I do so stay tuned. Let’s all hope these reports turn out to be exaggerated and not true and that the old and vulnerable still left in Gori are safe and that people’s property is left alone and not looted as some reports suggest.
“Today, i received word that there was looting in the city of gori. I heard two men were shot dead and there car was stolen on the highway towards gori. I called my host dad, Tariel Kasradze to see how he was doing. He never left the town of gori, he stayed to help at the hospital since his son works there. I called him today at 4:07 pm to see if he was ok. He said he is at home, russians are here. they are next to the house, he speaks little english and said to me, house burglars, help me help me.

I did not know what to do, i called a friend I know who i thought could help, she called him back, he is in the basement of his house now. 74 rustaveli street, with three old people. They are all alone and who knows what will happen to them.

My friends are trying to get thru to the police or the media but all the lines are busy now.”

Our thoughts are with all of you in Gori!