Ex-PM Garibashvili visits hospitalised former Adjara leader after shooting

Former Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili visited the First University Clinic in Tbilisi on Monday, where ex-Chairman of the Adjara Government, Tornike Rizhvadze, is receiving treatment after sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest.

Garibashvili, accompanied by his wife, arrived at the clinic earlier during the day but made no comments to the press. 

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Rizhvadze was initially admitted to Sagarejo GeoHospitals in the early hours of the morning after suffering a chest wound. Medical teams at the facility confirmed he had sustained a lung injury and was in serious but stable condition before being transferred to the First University Clinic in Tbilisi at around 06:30.

Levan Ratiani, director of the First University Clinic, told journalists that Rizhvadze was admitted in a state of traumatic-hemorrhagic shock.

“His condition was quite serious upon arrival. He is currently on mechanical ventilation, but we are seeing positive dynamics. The degree of shock has lessened and his hemodynamic parameters are stabilising,” Ratiani said. 

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an investigation into the incident under Article 115 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to incitement to suicide. Additionally, one individual, Aleksi Akhvlediani, has been arrested for negligent storage of a firearm.