MP’s car explosion in Tbilisi:
One detained, another charged in absentia

One person has been detained and another has been charged in absentia for their alleged connection with the explosion of the car of an opposition MP in central Tbilisi on October 4.

A short time ago Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a statement announcing one person has been detained for "illicit purchase, possession, carrying, production, shipment, transfer or sale of fire-arms, ammunition, explosive material or explosive devices”.

A second person has been charged in absentia for "attempted premeditated murder under aggravating circumstances”.

The agency did not identify the suspects but said police had found evidence proving their involvement in the crime.

The Ministry said several properties in connection with the two accused were searched, and resulted in the following items being found:

• Printed literature as well as handwritten instructions of how to make an explosive device;
• Remote controlled detonators, cables and other items needed for an explosion;
• House and office plans of MP Givi Targamadze (whose car was targeted);
• Explosives, including RDX and trinitrotoluene (TNT);
• Firearms, hand grenades and other illegal items.

After the explosion, forensic teams swabbed the car for genetic and biological material.

The investigation established that biological material taken from the left-hand side of the rear of the exploded car, belonging to United National Movement (UNM) MP Givi Targamadze, matched with the genetic profile of the parents of the man charged in absentia. 

Police are currently searching for him.

Five members of the public were injured and taken to the hospital in different conditions after the car exploded in in central Tbilisi on the evening of October 4.

Several of the injured remain in hospital in poor condition. Targamadze suffered minor injuries in the incident.

The explosion was heard about 20:10 local time near the UNM office in central Tbilisi, near the flower market.

Shortly after the incident an investigation was launched for 'attempted murder under aggravating circumstances'.