Vice PM: one more suspect in Avaliani murder case 'may already have been arrested'

Georgian Vice Prime Minister and State Minister responsible for coordinating law enforcement agencies Mamuka Mdinaradze said on Wednesday that one more suspect linked to the murder of teacher Giga Avaliani may already have been arrested, urging the public not to interfere with the ongoing investigation.

Speaking at a briefing at the Government Administration, Mdinaradze said investigators had been carrying out intensive investigative actions over the past week and stressed that such operations must be allowed to follow their course.

"As far as I know, and according to the information available to me, the person who had been discussed over the past few days may already have been arrested," he said.

The Vice Prime Minister noted that the victim's family, relatives and their lawyers had been kept informed about investigative developments and said law enforcement authorities were working according to an established investigative strategy.

He added that investigators had gathered evidence indicating a particular individual may have known about the crime or attempted to conceal information or assist those involved.

Mdinaradze called on the public, including victims and their families, to refrain from actions that could undermine the investigation.

"We fully understand the emotions involved, and victims have every right to speak out. However, intensive investigative actions follow their own logic, and deviating from that process may hinder the collection of evidence," he said.

He urged the public to allow investigators to complete their work without pressure, stressing that decisions to bring charges should be based on evidence rather than emotion.