Foreign National Arrested in Tbilisi Over Death of Abkhaz Blogger

A foreign national has been arrested in Tbilisi in connection with the death of Abkhaz blogger Daur Buava, Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs said.

Officers from the Vake-Saburtalo Main Division of the Tbilisi Police Department detained the suspect on charges of abandoning a person in danger as part of the ongoing investigation into Buava’s death.

According to investigators, the suspect and Buava were friends and were together at Buava’s temporary residence in Tbilisi’s Didi Dighomi district, where they used narcotic substances. Both subsequently became unwell.

“During questioning, the suspect stated that he left Daur Buava alone despite Buava being critically ill and in a life-threatening condition. The suspect locked the apartment door from the outside using a second key and left the scene without informing anyone about what had happened or seeking assistance for Buava,” the Interior Ministry said.

The investigation is being conducted under Articles 115 and 128 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, covering incitement to suicide and abandonment of a person in danger, respectively.

The ministry said further investigative procedures are ongoing.