Armenian citizen detained after Heydar Aliyev bust damaged in Tbilisi

A bust of National Leader Heydar Aliyev has been damaged in Tbilisi.

According to APA, Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the incident.

The ministry said a foreign national had been detained in connection with an incident that occurred on September 21. An investigation is underway under Part One of Article 187 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which covers the intentional damage or destruction of another person’s property causing significant damage.

The detainee’s lawyer confirmed that he is an Armenian citizen. According to the lawyer, the man is over 40 years old and arrived in Tbilisi as a tourist. He is currently exercising his right to remain silent. A court has ordered his detention as a preventive measure.

The bust is currently covered while restoration work is carried out. According to available information, part of the monument’s front surface was damaged. It has not yet been reported what object was used to damage the bust or what motivated the incident.

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Georgia Faig Guliyev said the relevant Georgian authorities are continuing investigative and procedural measures in connection with the incident and that the results of the investigation should be awaited.

By Tamilla Hasanova