Former official goes missing following alleged confrontation with policeman

Former Deputy Head of the National Environment Agency and President of Economic Transformation Centre (ECT) Ramaz Gerliani went missing yesterday, allegedly following his dispute with a policeman, about which he posted on Facebook on December 19.

In his Facebook post, which currently is no longer available, accused officer Giorgi Gogniashvili of blackmail and invasion of private property. He stated that he found an armed Gogniashvili in his apartment on November 14, who interrogated him under ‘false pretences,’ which he reported to the police that same day. 

Family members of Gerliani state that his car was found near Avchala police department with an open door and the keys inside the vehicle. 

His sister Lena Gerliani told TV channel Formula that she doesn't think his brother ‘disappeared voluntarily,’ noting that ‘something very bad is happening and I do not know what to think.’

Gerliani’s brother Romanoz Gerliani told IPN news agency that Gerliani’s phone was switched off after publication of the post about Gogniashvili.  

This post was published yesterday morning. As soon as I saw it, I called and the phone was off…we do not know where he is,” Gerliani said.

Ramaz Gerliani also stated that Gogniashvili collected personal information about him and his family members 'through the police system and various means.’

The Interior Ministry has launched an investigation into the case.