Giorgi Papashvili, accused of murdering 22-year-old Tamaz Mtivlishvili, an employee of a local shawarma restaurant, has been arrested in Russia by Interpol. He had been on the international wanted list.

According to prosecutor Levan Vefkhvadze, extradition procedures are currently underway.

As for Ali Guseinov, who is charged with failing to report an especially grave crime, he is also internationally wanted, and his current whereabouts are unknown.

“As soon as detention was ordered for both suspects, search warrants were issued both within Georgia and internationally through Interpol. Based on the information we have, Giorgi Papashvili was arrested in the Russian Federation by Interpol. The process is generally confidential, so I cannot provide further details. At this stage, extradition proceedings are underway, and information is being exchanged between the two states.

Both Giorgi Papashvili and the second accused are internationally wanted. At this point, the latter's location is unknown, but we know he crossed into Turkey from Georgia,” said Vefkhvadze.

At this moment, a court hearing is being held in Tbilisi City Court regarding the charge of failure to report an especially grave crime. Given the complexity of the case and the number of investigative actions still to be carried out, the Prosecutor’s Office has requested an extension of the investigation period, which the court has granted. At today's hearing, the court will also review the preventive measure of detention imposed on the detainees and the accused.

For context, 22-year-old Tamaz Mtivlishvili was brutally beaten to death, including with a herb-cutting board, on February 17 — his birthday. His body was found several days later at the home of the murder suspect Giorgi Papashvili.

Five people have been prosecuted in connection with the case, but law enforcement managed to arrest only three. Murder suspect Giorgi Papashvili and Bayram Ali Guseinov, accused of failing to report the crime, fled the scene and managed to leave the country.

The victim’s friends, who were also his co-workers, have been detained in connection with the case.

The accused — Veriko Kapanadze, Luka Gvenetadze, Saba Robakidze, and Bayram Ali Guseinov — are all charged with failing to report an especially grave crime.

Bayram Ali Guseinov is still wanted by Interpol, while Giorgi Papashvili was arrested in Russia following an international search.