First Suspect Detained As a Result of Anti-Criminal Operation

(Tbilisi, August 29 2002, Civil Georgia) On August 28 Georgian law enforcers detained the first suspect after anti-criminal operation had begun in the Pankisi Gorge. Law enforcers do not disclose the name of the detainee yet.

Minister for Internal Affairs Koba Narchemashvili said the detainee is suspected of committing several murders. He has been hiding for two years in the Pankisi Gorge.

According to Narchemashvili there are only two kidnapped in the Pankisi Gorge. Replying to the journalists asking whether there is abducted British banker Peter Shaw in the Pankisi or not, the minister answered that nothing is excluded.

Additional units of internal troops entered the gorge on August 25 to conduct anti-criminal operation.