"I have had no communication with Tornike Rizhvadze. If he returns to the country, we will only welcome it. I wish him health and well-being," stated Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze in response to a question regarding the case of former Adjara Government Chairman Tornike Rizhvadze.

When asked whether any criminal case was underway against Tornike Rizhvadze—since in a letter reportedly circulated before his suicide attempt, he wrote that he was being accused of "corruption and protecting racketeers"—Kaladze noted that "no criminal case was underway."

In response to a follow-up question about whether there is any connection between the arrests of former high-ranking officials and Rizhvadze, Kaladze clarified that "Rizhvadze is not connected."

"Fighting corruption is, of course, an important direction. The relevant agency has made a statement regarding Tornike Rizhvadze; I cannot add anything further," Kaladze noted.

For reference, according to reports, Tornike Rizhvadze attempted suicide on July 7. He sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. At his family's request, Rizhvadze was transferred to a clinic in Turkey for treatment.

As a reminder, according to the statement of former head of the Maritime Transport Agency Alexi Akhvlediani, former Adjara Government Chairman Tornike Rizhvadze will arrive in Georgia in the coming days and answer questions.