Witness in School Killings Arrested on Suspicion of Murder

Mikheil Kalandia, a main witness in the murder of two 16-year-old school boys in Tbilisi, has been arrested on suspicion of murder today.

Davit Saralidze and Levan Dadunashvili were murdered during a brawl at a Tbilisi school in December 2017.

The case caused huge controversy after Tbilisi City Court failed to sentence both of the main suspects (G.B and G.J) with murder, instead sentencing them to murder and attempted murder respectively.

However, the news of Kalandia’s arrest comes after the Court of Appeal’s decision to change G.J’s crime to murder yesterday, sentencing the minor to 11 years and three months.

At the trial, the court said that not everyone who had participated in the murders had been identified.

“Following the verdict of Tbilisi City Court, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs obtained evidence confirming Kalandia’s participation in Saralidze’s murder, committed by a group,” said the Ministry of Internal Affairs today.  

Giorgi Gakharia, Georgia’s Interior Minister, stated that the case was particularly difficult as it involved minors who changed their testimonies several times.

10 people have been charged for various offenses connected to the case such as giving false testimony and failing to report a crime.

If found guilty, Kalandia could face 13 to 18 years in prison.

By Amy Jones

Photo source - Ministry of Internal Affairs