Law Enforcers Detained Kidnapper Suspect

The State Security Ministry announced today that the law enforcers detained on December 7 in Pankisi gorge Tengiz Khangoshvili, who is suspected in several high-profile abduction cases.

?Tengiz Khangoshvili has already admitted that he was involved in the abduction of two Spanish businessmen in 2000,? Nika Laliashvili, spokesman for the State Security Ministry, said at a news briefing today.

He said Khangoshvili was the member of kidnapper kingpin Mevlud Chichiashvili?s gang, who was arrested in Moscow in June. However Chichiashvili?s extradition is delayed for unknown reasons.

The law enforcers have no information so far, whether Tengiz Khangoshvili was involved in abduction of Tamaz Maghlakelidze, member of the supervisory board of United Georgian Bank.

Maghlakelidze was kidnapped at gunpoint early in the morning on December 5.

Interior Minister Giorgi Baramidze said ?it is most likely? that kidnappers of Tamaz Maghlakelidze ?aim at receiving ransom.?

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