Interior Ministry dismisses opposition allegations on “unlawful” arrest of its member

The Georgian Interior Ministry on Thursday dismissed the allegations of the United National Movement opposition party on the “unlawful arrest” of its member Artur Mkoyan in Akhalkalaki municipality of southern Georgia. 

The ministry released a video which shows the suspect firing a gun. 

In his comments, the Ministry said that Mkoyan was arrested as part of the investigation launched earlier this week, with an individual firing a gun towards a police car on Agmashenebeli street in Akhalkalaki. 

The Ministry said that Mkoyan was identified shortly after the incident and conducted investigative and procedural actions in his apartment into the fact of illegal purchase, storage and carrying of firearms, adding that the suspect did not obey the law enforcement.

The Ministry stated that Mkoyan was subjected to administrative punishment for the violation and was sentenced to 11 days in prison by the district court.