Trapped in Total Darkness: The True Story of a Banker's Underground Hell

In June 2002, Peter Shaw, a Welsh banker working in Georgia, was living a seemingly ordinary life. But just two days before he was set to return to the U.K. with his Georgian partner, Diana Khorina, and their 3-year-old son, Danny, his life took a terrifying turn.

The Dark Underground Prison

While driving through the streets of Tbilisi, Shaw was stopped at what appeared to be a routine police checkpoint. Before he could process what was happening, he was forcibly removed from his car by masked gunmen wielding Kalashnikovs (assault rifles). In an instant, he was hurled into a waiting vehicle, beginning a harrowing ordeal that would last 141 days.

Initially, Shaw was moved between various locations, including mountain hideouts and wooden sheds. He endured severe beatings and a failed escape attempt that only worsened his treatment. Eventually, he was taken to a desolate farm where his captors forced him into an underground pit. This cramped, damp hole became his prison for the next 119 days.

Chained by the neck to a wall, Shaw existed in complete darkness except for a meager daily ration of half a candle. His only human interaction came in the form of disembodied hands pushing food and water through a small opening. The air reeked of rotting flesh, the walls were lined with slugs, and his bed was nothing more than a pile of straw covered in plastic sheeting.

As the days dragged on, Shaw found ways to maintain his sanity. He established a daily routine — removing insects from his bedding, attempting to stay clean, and exercising as much as his chains allowed. He even burned off his beard using candle stubs to fend off the relentless flies. Despite his horrific conditions, he remained hopeful that he would one day see the outside world again.

The Ransom Demand and Failed Negotiations

Shaw's captors believed he was worth a significant ransom. They initially demanded $2 million from his bank, later reducing it to $1 million. However, Shaw knew the British government had a strict policy of not negotiating with kidnappers. No money was ever paid, leaving his fate uncertain.

His captors, who claimed to be warriors rather than bandits, were convinced they would eventually get their money. But as negotiations dragged on without progress, Shaw began to fear that they might dispose of him all together.

The Miraculous Escape

On Nov. 6, 2002, after nearly five months in captivity, Shaw was suddenly pulled from his underground prison. His captors, appearing nervous and on edge, drove him into the mountains. As they walked him along a dirt path, he heard the unmistakable sound of a gun being cocked. Convinced he was about to be executed, Shaw instinctively dove into a nearby ditch. Shots rang out, but miraculously, he was not hit.

In the chaos, one of the kidnappers was mistakenly shot by his own men. Seizing the opportunity, Shaw ran blindly into the darkness, eventually stumbling upon a Georgian military outpost. When he identified himself, the soldiers erupted in cheers — they had been searching for him for months.

The Aftermath: Life After Captivity

Shaw was flown back to the U.K., where he reunited with his family and met his newborn grandson for the first time. Physically, he was in poor condition — malnourished, suffering from infections, and struggling to regain his strength. Mentally, he maintained an almost eerie composure, often downplaying his suffering and refusing to see himself as a hero.

His story, however, remained one of resilience and survival. Despite the trauma, Shaw went on to give talks on hostage survival, helping military personnel and security professionals understand the psychological toll of long-term captivity.

Theories and Unanswered Questions

To this day, the exact motives behind Shaw's kidnapping remain unclear. Some speculate that it was part of a broader power struggle within Georgia's unstable political landscape. Others believe it was purely financial — a scheme by criminals hoping for a hefty payout.

Although his captors were never formally identified or prosecuted, Shaw remains certain that his release was orchestrated behind the scenes. He stated that he was released rather than having escaped.

References: 'I was kidnapped and held prisoner for months by gang who wanted $2m ransom' | Free at last: Briton escapes after four months held in a hole in the ground | My 119 days in The Hole ...