Man suspected of killing policemen arrested, faces life in prison

A man who is suspected of killing two policemen in Borjomi and wounding two others in two separate shooting in Tbilisi was arrested early this morning and is facing 16 to 20 years of imprisonment or lifetime behind bars.

Shalva Abuladze, who is charged with the murder of a policeman by the Chief Prosecutor’s Office, was detained in an abandoned house in Borjomi, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said on Friday.

The Interior Ministry said the police found two handguns and a hand grenade in a building in Borjomi where Abuladze was hiding.

"The mentioned person was wanted for murder and attempted murder of police officers and illegal purchase, keeping and carrying of a firearm," said the Ministry. 

"Earlier today, on the basis of the received operative information, a special operation was held in Ardagani village, Borjomi for detention of Abuladze,” the press office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.

Investigation against Abuladze was launched by the Prosecutor’s Office under several articles of the Criminal Code, envisaging murder and attempted murder of police officer as well as illegal purchase, keeping and carrying of firearm.

"The charges envisage from 16 to 20 years of imprisonment or lifetime custody,” the press office said.

Abuladze allegedly murdered Margishvili, a Georgian police District Inspector-Investigator, on Saturday, April 4 in the Varketili district of Tbilisi while he was on duty with Assistant Detective Valerian Grdzelishvili.

The two police officers stopped Abuladze in order to verify his identity near Varketili Metro Station. Upon hearing the policemen’s order, Abuladze allegedly opened fire in the direction of the police officers and immediately fled the scene.

Both police officers were wounded by the gunshots. Margishvili suffered severe injuries and died after he was transferred to hospital. Grdzelishvili also suffered severe injuries and underwent a difficult surgery, however his condition was now improving, doctors said.

Furthermore, the Office said Abuladze was the same person who tried to murder two policemen last January in Borjomi, a mountainous resort town in southern Georgia. As a result of the attack, one policeman later died in hospital.