Georgian Prosecutor General's Office opens investigation into 21 February incident at Omega Group company

The Georgian Prosecutor General's Office has launched an investigation into the incident which occurred on February 21 at the Omega Group company. The prosecutor has not yet specified details of the investigation, except saying that members of special forces who presented in the Omega Group office at the time of the incident have already been interrogated.

Military personnel from the internal security forces fired shots into the air on Omega Group's premises after company workers had attempted to enter the area. The Omega Group firm had been shut down two days before it by staff of the Prosecutor General's Office in connection with allegations that the firm has been evading taxes.

Zaza Okuashvili, Omega Group's president and a deputy in the Georgian parliament, told journalists that workers come to the company to ask why they were not being allowed into their workplace, but the troops "opened fire on people with automatic weapons."

According to the head of the internal security forces, Tariel Tsiklauri, an attempt took place to enter the cordoned-off premises. He alleges that members of Zaza Okuashvili's security were armed, but did not open fire.

Omega Group is involved in the cigarette and automobile industries. In the same stable as the firm are the Iberia TV company, Akhali Epoca (New Epoch) newspaper, and Media News press agency.