"As a result of a special operation carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Samegrelo region, all hostages have been released, and their lives and health are not in danger," the Ministry of Internal Affairs reports.
According to the agency, the hostages' release became possible through the direct efforts of Avtandil Galdava.
"As you know, an armed attack got carried out on the branch of one of the banks located on Zviad Gamsakhurdia Avenue in Zugdidi, during which the criminal took 43 citizens hostage.
Due to the police's efforts, as a result of complicated and long negotiations, most of them were gradually released during the day and replaced by Avtandil Galdava, the Director of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Police Department.
Later, Avtandil Galdava and three hostages, along with the attacker, left the bank building.
Through the direct efforts of Avtandil Galdava, the Director of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, all the hostages got released from the armed criminal; now their lives and health are not in danger. Law enforcers are continuing intensive operative-investigative and search measures to arrest the perpetrator. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will gradually release additional information to the public regarding the fact," the Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement.
