In the Georgian city of Kutaisi, an armed man broke into a branch of one of the country's banks. The robber is holding 12 people hostage.

 This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.

 "At the moment, 12 people remain in the building as hostages. The law enforcement officers are taking all necessary measures for their quick and safe release," the message says.

 The agency reported that employees of the relevant units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are already near the bank building located on Shota Rustaveli Avenue in Kutaisi.

 "According to preliminary information, an armed person broke into the branch of the Bank of Georgia. After receiving a report about the attack, police officers immediately surrounded the area around the scene of the incident," the report said.

 According to Georgian mass media, the attаcker demands to pay him 2 million dollars within three hours. The ultimatum expires soon.

 The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia qualified the taking of hostages in Kutaisi as a terrorist act.