Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri visited police officer Valerian Grdzelishvili at First Clinical Hospital who was wounded as a result of incident that took place near Varketili subway. Minister also met and had a conversation with family members of the wounded police officer. Minister also had a conversation with a doctor of the wounded police officer and received information on the condition of health. According to the doctor, Grdzelishvili has undergone a difficult surgery, policeman is currently placed at intensive care and everything is being done in order to save policeman’s life. Today Vakhtang Gomelauri also visited family members of the late police officer Beka Margishvili and condoled over his death.
“Everyone knows what happened yesterday. They were fulfilling official duties and noticed person, they demanded to stop in order to verify his identity. Unexpectedly he opened fire and left the crime scene. This case is very similar to the Borjomi incident and we are working to this direction as well. Unfortunately our police officer did not survive, doctors were unable to save his life. I want to thank doctors, they did best they could. Another police officer’s – condition is stable but serious, however according to doctors threat to life is minimal”-stated Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri.
“I want to make a statement, and want to call on everyone, no matter whether it will be a representative of political party, institution or organization. It is a pity when they line up and say that police is demoralized, that police is oppressed. Oppressed police officer would not be able to do this, would not chase the killer, recidivist or criminal. We have an exemplary police and they should not kill the spirit of these people, who ensure protection of my children as well as yours. These policemen need support and not derogatory statements on demoralization of police. I want to apologize to these police officers. Those are my colleagues and not only me and Prime Minister should be making statements and rejecting the accusations. It should not be this way and I’m sorry for that. I want to point out once again that whether it's a political party, some organization or non-governmental sector, they should all encourage and support policemen instead of making such statements against them. They are guardians of our safety and safety of our families’”-stated Minister of Internal Affairs.
Minister also spoke about the similarity of the current incident with the one that took place in Borjomi: “There was the same scenario in both cases. It was established that Shalva Abuladze was involved in Borjomi incident. We are working to this direction as well. There is a possibility that the mentioned person is involved in the current incident, it is very much like his signature and similar to what happened in Borjomi”. According to the Minister situation similar to what happened yesterday, near Varketili subway, also took place today: person was presumed as suspicious, was asked to stop however he ignored police demand and opened fire. He was wearing a wig and there is a huge possibility that we are dealing with the same person. He threw the wig away and left the scene. He also opened fire to the direction of police. At this moment, fortunately no one got hurt, including police officers.
Police officer died at I think that this case should be investigated by the Prosecutor’s office. We will of course assist them operatively within our and I think that it’s a right decision, taking into consideration the fact that we have a wounded policeman. This decision was made in order to eliminate acusations on biased investigation process”-stated the Minister.
On the evening of April 4, inspector-investigator of VIII police station of Isani-Samgori Police Division of MIA-Beka Margishvili along with assistant to the detective- Valerian Grdzelishvili was fulfilling his official duties in Varketili settlement, Tbilisi, in vicinities of Varketili subway, namely on Javakheti Street when they stopped a person in order to verify his identity. The mentioned person opened fire to the direction of police officers unexpectedly and left the crime scene. As a result of shooting both police officers were wounded. Due to the received injuries Beka Margishvili died after being transferred at University Clinic. Valerian Grdzelishvili is undergoing medical treatment at First Clinical Hospital. Operative-searching and investigative activities are being held at the moment in order to identify and detain the offender. Investigation is conducted by Tbilisi Prosecutor’s Office.
