Two arrested for robbery and premeditated murder of foreign tourists in Georgia

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia reports the police arrested two individuals, R.P. (born in 1986) and B. Ch. (born in 1992), on charges of armed robbery, attempted premeditated murder under aggravated circumstances, and illegal possession and use of firearms. The suspects were apprehended following a joint operation conducted by the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Police Department and the Special Tasks Department.

The crimes, if proven, carry a penalty of 16 to 20 years of imprisonment or life in prison.

According to the investigation, on January 5, the suspects robbed two foreign nationals traveling from Zugdidi to Mestia. They allegedly stole mobile phones, shot one of the victims, V.S. (born in 1986), and unlawfully detained them. To cover up their crime, the suspects reportedly disposed of the victim’s body in a river and fled the scene.

Law enforcement agencies conducted a two-day, round-the-clock operation involving police units and a helicopter, covering Mestia Municipality and the broader Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region.

As a result of the investigation, both suspects were detained, and the body of V.S., the foreign national, was discovered in the Nakra River in Mestia Municipality.

The investigation is ongoing under Articles 179 (robbery), 19-109 (attempted murder under aggravated circumstances), and 236 (illegal possession of firearms) of the Georgian Criminal Code, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.