Shalva Tibua, the owner of the restaurant “Kvevri,” and his lawyer, Tamar Abesadze, will visit the police department today to identify a weapon seized from the scene of the incident. Abesadze confirmed this to “InterpressNews.”
According to Abesadze, they are well aware of the characteristics of the weapon used in the attack against Tibua. She stated that the owner of “Kvevri” suspects the seized weapon is not the one used in the assault against him and that it may have been replaced.
Abesadze explained that, despite ongoing daily investigative actions, the relevant authorities have not yet identified any suspects or granted Tibua victim status.
“Investigative actions are being conducted, including retrieving materials from phones, conducting expert examinations, and questioning additional witnesses on a daily basis. However, regarding the incident at the ‘Kvevri’ restaurant, the prosecution has not held anyone accountable.
Surprisingly, no one has been recognized as a victim yet, but there are eyewitnesses who recorded the incident. Additionally, the restaurant itself is equipped with surveillance cameras, and those recordings are in the possession of the prosecution. The defense managed to obtain a copy of the evidence reflecting what happened in the hall. However, when the owner and other individuals were taken to the police for questioning, evidence was destroyed – by whom, the investigation will determine. Due to my client’s interests, I cannot discuss details.
Furthermore, after the incident, 9,000 GEL went missing from the cash register… My client says that if he had done something similar, he might have been offered bail, but they would still show him the prison gates, saying, ‘I’d be sent to Siberia three times over,’” Abesadze stated.
Regarding the other side’s claim that the weapon was a toy, Tibua’s lawyer noted that her client finds this suspicious.
“The other side entered the restaurant with a weapon and later claimed it was a toy pistol. The security employee hired by Shalva Tibua fired a warning shot because no one could stop him [Baslandze]. According to Shalva Tibua, it was not a toy pistol. Today, we are going to the police department to identify the weapon and determine if it matches the characteristics we know it had,” Abesadze said.
When asked whether Shalva Tibua suspects the weapon was replaced, Abesadze responded affirmatively.
“Shalva Tibua himself has such suspicions. What gives us grounds for this? Video footage clearly shows one individual approaching Lasha Baslandze, taking the weapon, and carrying it away. A toy pistol doesn’t need to be hidden, right? Later, the ‘weapon’ was ‘accidentally’ found—what an astonishing story, found somewhere under a table. No one loses a weapon like that,” Abesadze stated.
For reference, on September 6, there was a shooting and confrontation at the “Kvevri” restaurant. According to media footage, Lasha Baslandze, referred to by the defense as the restaurant’s former tenant, attacked Tibua with a weapon. According to Tibua’s lawyer, Baslandze, as a tenant, failed to fulfill his obligations, leading the owner to terminate his contract. This angered Baslandze, who then attacked the restaurant owner.
Later, Baslandze commented that he had a conflict with his “partner due to his unworthy behavior.” According to Baslandze, he insulted Tibua but did not cause any physical harm. He claimed that during the altercation, “Tibua’s friend or security employee fired a shot in the air with some kind of modified weapon.”
The investigation is ongoing under Article 236 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to the illegal acquisition, storage, or carrying of a weapon.
The lawyer of the “Qvevri” owner: Shalva Tibua suspects that the weapon used to attack Lasha Baslandze was switched; The “weapon” was “accidentally” found tossed under a table – Tibua says, “If I had done this, I would have been ‘rounded up’ to Siberia three times over”
