As a result of a special police operation carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Samegrelo region, all hostages have been released and their lives and health are no longer in danger.

“As it is known, an armed assault was perpetrated on the branch of one of the banks located on Zviad Gamsakhurdia Avenue, Zugdidi, as a result, the assailant took 43 citizens as hostage.

Thanks to the police efforts, as a result of difficult and long-lasting negotiations, most of the hostages were gradually released during the day, who were replaced by Avtandil Galdava, Director of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Police Department.

Later, Avtandil Galdava along with three other hostages left the bank building with the attacker.

All hostages were released from the assailant by the direct efforts made by the Director of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Police Department - Avtandil Galdava, at this moment their lives and health are not in danger.

Law enforcers continue intensive operative-investigative and search activities in order to arrest the assailant.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs will gradually disseminate additional information to the public regarding the fact”, - reads the statement of the MIA.