Georgia's Minister of Interior Says, Kidnapped Englishman Peter Shaw May Have Been Taken to Pankisi Ravine

Koba Narchemashvili, the Minister of Interior of Georgia, said he had information about two hostages being kept in Pankisi Ravine. When asked if one of these hostages could be the kidnapped Englishman Peter Shaw, the Minister said anything was possible.

Peter Shaw, a British citizen, Director of Georgia's Agrobusinessbank, was kidnapped by criminals posing as police officers late on June 18 while he drove his car. Valery Khaburdzania, the Minister of State Security of Georgia, said at least two criminal groups, the client and the perpetrator, were involved in the kidnapping. While the first group was allegedly trying to discredit Georgia internationally, the second one was simply after the money paid by its client. Mr. Khaburdzania said this in his interview with a Rustavi-2 TV reporter. He also said that foreign citizens were possibly involved in this crime.

The Minister of Interior of Georgia also said the counterterrorist action in the Pankisi Ravine had had some solid results. A suspect in several murders was captured by law enforcement officers on Wednesday. The suspect's identity remains undisclosed.