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.
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.
