Georgian public demands immediate investigation into brutal murder of 8-year-old girl

A young man has been detained in connection with the brutal murder of an eight-year-old girl in Gori, Georgia.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that the man worked at a construction site near the scene of the crime. A motive for the murder has not been announced as yet.

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Eight-year-old Nana Beriashvili was reported missing yesterday morning. Her body was found later that evening in the courtyard of the district court on the banks of the Liakhvi River. Her limbs were bound and a bag was placed over her head.

Facebook post: “8-year-old Naniko Beriashvili disappeared during the day in Gori … She was on her way to school No 5 but never arrived. If anyone has seen her please inform the police.”

She was reported missing after she failed to show up for her usual dance class.

Local residents say the courtyard where she was found had been searched several times throughout the day but her body had not been there until later on. This has lead police to believe that the girl was killed in another place and that her body was then moved.

The child’s grandfather, Khvicha Beriashvili, told television station Rustavi-2 that the trail of the girl went cold just 100 metres from their home.

He further said that there are two shops equipped with cameras on the road that the girl usually took.

“If they [the authorities and police] do not investigate, we will shut down the highway. All of Gori will rise up,” he told reporters.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an investigation under the auspices of premeditated murder of a minor under aggravating circumstances. The investigation is being led by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Kakha Sabanadze.

Last night, Sabanadze told reporters that he could not comment on the murder while the investigation was underway:

“I can not comment on the events at this stage, but we are looking into the matter. An investigation has begun, and we are closely studying the scene of the incident. As soon as something becomes known, we will make a statement,” he said.

An overnight autopsy was performed in Gori on the girl’s body. Forensic experts worked at the scene of the crime while being observed by large crowds.