UPDATED: Bank of Georgia robber in Kutaisi arrested

Update: 21:30

The armed robber who broke into the Bank of Georgia branch in Georgia’s western city of Kutaisi earlier on Tuesday has been arrested. 

Ketevan Kovziashvili, the head of the strategic communications department of the ministry of internal affairs told reporters the special operation had “successfully” completed and "all hostages" have been freed.

Update: 16:30

The armed robber who broke into the Bank of Georgia branch in Georgia’s western city of Kutaisi earlier on Tuesday is demanding $2 million, a helicopter, Russian flag and a fishhook in return for freeing his hostages, the Georgian public broadcaster said.

In developments that followed the intrusion earlier during the day, one of the hostages went live on Facebook, with their footage showing the armed intruder dictating his demands to one of the hostages. 

Local media reported the robber had told the hostages he had an explosive device attached to his body and threatened to activate it if his demands were not met.

Earlier: 13:40

Twelve individuals have been taken hostage by an armed robber who broke into the Bank of Georgia branch in the country’s western city of Kutaisi and demanded a large amount of money, the Georgian interior ministry said.

The state body noted law enforcement officers were taking “all necessary measures for [...] timely and safe release [of the hostages]”.

It also confirmed an investigation had been launched on articles of terrorism, hostage-taking for terrorist purposes, and illegal purchase, storage and carrying of ammunition.

Earlier: 12:55

Law enforcement have been mobilized around a Bank of Georgia branch in the country’s western city of Kutaisi as the interior ministry said an armed man had broken into the office.

The ministry said officers had cordoned off the branch located on Shota Rustaveli Avenue in the  city.

Currently, law enforcement officers mobilised on the spot are taking all necessary and urgent measures, while investigative and operative activities are underway”, the state body noted.

 The ministry also called on reporters to observe safety norms and follow police instructions around the location.