Law enforcement officers negotiating with bank invader in Georgia VIDEO

Employees of the Georgian Interior Ministry have been mobilised at the bank on Rustaveli Avenue in Kutaisi city, Imereti region.

The negotiations are being led by Chief of the Imereti region police Zaza Tskhakaia, Caliber.Az reports. 

Proceeding from the video footage which went viral on social networks earlier, the robber allegedly planted explosives in the building of this branch of the Bank of Georgia.

One of the hostages, under the dictation of the intruder, says that the entrance doors are mined.

Explosive devices are supposedly linked by a laser and if the door is opened, an explosion will occur. Explosive-like devices are also fixed on the camouflage of the robber, and presumably, there is a trigger mechanism in his hands.

The representatives of the Departments of the Georgian Interior Ministry have been mobilised near the bank.

A criminal case was initiated under four articles of the Georgian Criminal Code - "Attack on a bank", "Act of terrorism", "Taking of hostages for the purposes of terrorism", as well as "Illegal acquisition, storage and carrying of ammunition".

 The man who took 12 people hostage at the Bank of Georgia said that he planted explosives inside the building.

The alleged robber announced this on video footage broadcast by local media, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

“I planted bombs here, they will explode as soon as the door opens,” he says.

"He [robber] has a stopwatch, he is not joking," one of the hostages says.

 Thirty minutes are left before the time set by the robber to complete the requirements.

The invader of the Bank of Georgia’s branch in Kutaisi made additional demands.

Besides $2 million, he also needs a helicopter, a fishing rod and a Russian flag, one of the hostages said live on social networks, Gazeta.ru reports.

“He wants a helicopter, $2 million, a Russian flag and a fishing rod in front of the bank,” one of the hostages said.

According to the video footage, one can hear that the attacker says that he turned on the timer on the explosive devices.

An armed man who attacked a bank in Kutaisi city demands $2 million to release the hostages.

The alleged robber announced this on video footage broadcast by local media, Caliber.Az reports citing Georgian media.

According to the video footage, a man allegedly has explosives.

Local media reports that two of the hostages have been released.

Employees of the Georgian Interior Ministry have been mobilised at the bank on Rustaveli Avenue in Kutaisi city, Imereti region.

Proceeding from preliminary information, an armed man broke into the bank, according to a statement on the website of the Georgian Interior Ministry, Sputnik Georgia informs on September 20.

According to the media reports, an armed robber broke into one of the branches of the Bank of Georgia. According to preliminary information, there are about ten people in the bank.

According to the unconfirmed reports, the robber demands two million lari ($685,904).

Eyewitnesses told Rustavi 2 TV channel that the attacker fired one warning shot before taking the hostage.

As soon as the police received notification of the attack, the area around the scene was immediately cordoned off, according to a statement by the Interior Ministry.

At this stage, the mobilised law enforcement officers are carrying out all necessary and urgent procedures, investigative measures are also taken, the message said.

The Interior Ministry calls on media representatives and citizens to observe safety standards and obey the instructions of the police officers on site.