The former head of the Constitutional Security Department (CSD) of Samegrelo–Zemo Svaneti, Ruslan Shamakhia, has been arrested, Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze confirmed at a briefing.
“I can confirm his arrest. The investigation is underway under Article 236, which concerns the illegal purchase and possession of firearms,” Darakhvelidze said.
The ministry did not provide further clarification on whether Shamakhia’s detention is linked to the October 4 protest events.
As previously reported, the Interior Ministry has also detained five opposition figures: Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, and Lasha Beridze. Deputy Minister claimed that they face charges of calling for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order, organizing and leading group violence, and participating in it—offenses punishable by up to nine years in prison.
