A man has appeared in court charged in connection with an alleged “hostage situation” in Stonehaven, where armed police discharged a firearm and taser.
Martynas Kulvinskas appeared in private at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, facing three charges of abduction and assault, abduction and assault to injury, and having an article with a blade or point in a public place.
The 31-year-old, of no fixed abode, made no plea, was committed for further examination and remanded in custody on Wednesday November 23.
Armed police raced to the scene on Hunter Place, around 12.40pm on Monday, following reports of a disturbance.
The area and surrounding streets, including Mearns Drive, were sealed off and social media reports at the time also suggested locals had been told to stay indoors.
A police insider with knowledge of the incident described it as a “hostage situation”.
Following the incident, police said officers had discharged a firearm and a taser was also deployed.
Kulvinskas was then taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with minor injuries.
Police watchdog probe
The police watchdog has since confirmed that its officials are investigating officers’ handling of the circumstances.
A spokeswoman for the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) said: “We have been made aware of an incident involving the discharge of a police firearm in Stonehaven on November 21. There is no ongoing threat to the public.
“The incident was referred to us by Police Scotland. We will examine the circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Chief Constable in due course.”
A referral to the PIRC is a common occurrence when armed officers have fired their weapons during a police incident.
Chief Superintendent Kate Stephen previously warned that there would be a police presence on Hunter Place for some time but emphasised there was no ongoing threat.
She said: “I want to reassure the public that this was a contained incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public”.
Kulvinskas is due to reappear in court within the next seven days.
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