Georgia, Tbilisi, Oct. 16 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
Police arrested ex-Georgian Parliamentary Speaker Zurab Surmanidze on suspicion of kidnapping. Surmanidze and his two fellows are accused of abducting a German investor and extorting money for his release, the Georgian Interior ministry told Trend.
According to the investigation, Surmanidze, Giorgi Berulava and Murtaza Meurmishvili kept a German investor in detention for several days and demanded $270,000 for release.
I his testimony, the investor said the kidnappers, as well as Surmanidze, put a physical oppression on him, as Surmanidze did not agree to receive a part ($100,000) of the amount and demanded the entire amount as a whole.
The fact is under investigation. The detainees could face up to 10 years imprisonment if the court finds them guilty.
Surmanidze was a parliamentary member for three terms. He entered the parliament from the party of Aslan Abashidze, and then became a member of a team of ex-Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania.
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