Police return stolen items to former Interior Minister

Police have returned items to former Interior Minister Ivane (Vano) Merabishvili after his home was broken into earlier this week.

Three men have been taken into custody for allegedly breaking into Merabishvili’s house and stealing valuable items.

The trio are accused of brazenly entering Merabishvili’s house in Abastumani sometime on Tuesday. The thieves entered the home through a bathroom window and stealing TV sets, dining ware, beverages, icons and other household items.

After the break-in was discovered, officers of the Adigeni police division of Samtskhe-Javakheti district began investigating the case and apprehended three people believed to be responsible for the incident. The trio had previous convictions in Akhaltsikhe for theft, police said.

The investigation stated the thieves broke into Merabishvili’s home on December 16, entered through a bathroom window and made off with televisions, various drinks, tableware, an icon in a silver frame and other household appliances.

Police searched the accused properties and discovered some of Merabishvili’s stolen property.

Some of Merabishvili’s stolen dining ware was confiscated after being found near the Dry Bridge flea market and pawn shops near central Tbilisi.

The police investigation is ongoing.