One arrested for premeditated murder of spouse, two friends in eastern Georgia's Kakheti region

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia on Thursday said law enforcement officers had arrested one individual on the charge of premeditated murder of his wife and two friends in the village of Akhasheni, in Gurjaani municipality in the country’s eastern Kakheti region.

The Ministry said the arrest had been made on the specific charge of “murder under aggravating circumstances”, adding the arrested person also had a criminal history.

The body noted its investigation had found the alleged assailant had shot his wife and two fellow villagers using a firearm before fleeing from the scene.

He was later arrested by the police, who also recovered the weapon allegedly used in the crime as evidence.

The crime is punishable by 16 to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment.