MIA: We’re Doing Our Best to Ensure the Safe Release of Hostages

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has issued a statement regarding the ongoing hostage-taking incident at the Bank of Georgia branch in Zugdidi, saying the relevant emergency activities are ongoing to ensure the safe release of the hostages.

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Kakha Sabanadze said: “I call on TV channels and mobile communications companies to stop distributing live signals from the crime scene as it impedes the work of law-enforcers and disrupts the special operation. Otherwise, the government reserves the right to act in accordance with the legislation that envisages the suppression of such signals”.

The armed individual that took 19 persons hostage at the bank reached out to television channels Mtavari Arkhi and Formula, presenting his conditions and demands. He wants an unarmed negotiator to enter the building with half a million dollars in cash, a guarantee of his safety and freedom, and a plane or a car to flee in. It was one of his hostages that presented the assailant’s demands.

Moreover, the attacker gave police a deadline of two hours to remove special forces from the perimeter, Mtavari Arkhi reports.

Law enforcers are mobilized on the spot. The streets surrounding the bank are blocked.

So far, no injuries have been reported.