The Ministry of Internal Affairs is releasing a statement regarding the arrest of Aleko Elisashvili.

According to the agency, Elisashvili attempted to set fire to the Chancellery building of the Tbilisi City Court early this morning.

“Alexander Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the coalition ‘Strong Georgia – Lelo’, has been detained. Early this morning, at dawn, he attempted to set fire to the Chancellery building of the Tbilisi City Court.

According to the investigation, on 29 November of this year, at dawn, Alexander Elisashvili, disguised, broke the exterior glass façade of the Tbilisi City Court Chancellery building using a hammer, entered the interior space of the court’s chancellery, where he poured gasoline around the perimeter — including on office supplies, equipment, and documentation — and attempted to set the building on fire. At the scene he was confronted by representatives of the Court Bailiff Service, to whom Elisashvili resisted using a firearm he was carrying and inflicted physical injuries. Despite the resistance, Alexander Elisashvili was detained on the spot by the bailiffs.

As a result of the confrontation, one representative of the Bailiff Service suffered injuries and has been transferred to a medical clinic. During detention, due to the resistance offered, Alexander Elisashvili was also injured.

The police seized the tools used in the crime as material evidence.

At this stage, the investigation is underway under Article 19-187 of the Criminal Code,” the statement reads.