Special Investigation Service launches investigation into alleged neglect of official duties after prisoner’s health is endangered

Georgia’s Special Investigation Service has launched an investigation into alleged neglect of official duties, after a prisoner's health was endangered, the state body announced on Saturday.

According to the inquiry, the prisoner of Mental Health and Drug Addiction Prevention Centre ambushed an employee of the Main Escort Division of the Special Penitentiary Service and taking his official firearm, the accused prisoner fired at the employees of the Escort Division once and then inflicted an injury on his own head.

The Service said the prisoner had been taken to the medical centre, where he underwent a surgery and noted that the scene of the accident had been inspected by the Service’s employees, and “all the necessary” investigative actions would be conducted in an “accelerated time frame”. 

The Service also expressed its readiness to “fully ensure” the involvement of the family members of the prisoner in the investigation.