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The suspect Mohamadamin Ruintan. (Ministry of Internal Affairs.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Interior Ministry Wednesday evening identified a 28-year old man as the suspect in the murder of 16-year old Mariam Kochalidze on July 22.

The suspect is a citizen of Iran, Mohamadamin Ruintan, born in 1985. According to the statement, he left Georgia for Turkey the same day as the murder at 19:22.

Georgia is in negotiations with Turkey about the case.

In an earlier statement, the ministry said the suspect stopped a taxi after committing the crime at about 19:00, 100 meters from the end of Batumi boulevard.

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The murdered 16-year old girl Mariam Kochalidze. (Interpressnews.)

The suspect entered Georgia on June 23 through Sarpi border crossing, the same as where he left. The ministry released a video clip which shows the suspect leaving the country.

The Kochalidze family went to the police at 23:00 on July 22. At that time, the suspect had already left the country. The victim’s body was found the next day, July 23.