UPDATED: Justice Ministry confirms arrest of teenage prisoner after medical facility escape

Updated: 13:02

Georgia’s Ministry of Justice on Thursday confirmed to the TV Imedi channel the arrest of an 18-year-old prisoner who had escaped from custody while receiving medical examination in a clinic in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.

The Ministry said the law enforcement officers detained the inmate at their home following the escape.

Georgia’s Ministry of Justice on Thursday told the Public Broadcaster law enforcement agencies had arrested an employee who had been tasked with escorting the prisoners, as part of the investigation into the incident.

The body said the arrest had been made on the charge of failure to discharge official duties leading to escape of detainees.

The crime is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years.

Earlier at: 12:02

Georgia’s Ministry of Justice on Wednesday told the Public Broadcaster its General Inspection had started an investigation to arrest three prisoners who have escaped from custody while receiving medical examination in a clinic in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.

In his comments, Justice Minister Rati Bregadze on Wednesday said the inmates, who escaped from an Aversi Clinic facility, did not pose a threat to society, and added “this type of crime happens in every country”.

The Minister called on the prisoners to surrender to law enforcement, adding the action could mitigate their liability for the offence. He also said those found responsible for “not fulfilling their legal liability" to prevent the crime would be “brought to justice”.

Bregadze also urged family members and relatives of the escaped prisoners not to provide “any kind of assistance” to the inmates, as the act would be considered a “serious crime” and those found to have failed the advice would be “punished with the full severity of the law”.

The Ministry said the group escape was punishable by imprisonment from six to eight years.