According to a report by Reuters, Abu Dhabi police have detained 10 people in connection with an altercation involving Merab Dvalishvili. Specifically, this includes “eight individuals involved in a brawl outside the hotel entrance,” as well as two individuals who recorded the incident on video. In Abu Dhabi, unauthorized video recording in indoor spaces is prohibited.
The Reuters report does not clarify whether Merab Dvalishvili himself and his companion, Saba Lazishvili, are among those “detained.”
At the same time, according to reports by several media outlets, both Georgian fighters remain at the police station. Renowned sports journalist and MMA analyst Ariel Helwani also previously reported that both Dvalishvili and Lazishvili had been taken to police custody for questioning.
On November 12, Saba Lazishvili’s brother, Zviad Lazishvili, posted a video on social media stating:
“Unfortunately, my brother Saba and Merab are still in custody. They haven’t been released yet, and they say they may be held for up to 48 hours.”
According to him, it is most likely that “a judge will decide how events unfold,” which he views as unfair because “my brothers did nothing wrong and were only defending themselves.”
“I ask anyone who has the ability or any connections to help them, speak out publicly, and offer support. Several Georgian guys, very good friends, have already stepped up and are trying to help find excellent lawyers to resolve the situation,” he says in the video.
