The Tbilisi City Court, with Judge Nino Galustashvili presiding, found 26-year-old Beka Jaiani guilty on all charges related to the murder of 37-year-old transgender woman Kesaria Abramidze, and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Judge Galustashvili fully granted the prosecutor’s motion, convicting Jaiani of murder with particular cruelty on the basis of gender, and of systematic beatings motivated by intolerance toward gender identity.
Jaiani did not attend the verdict announcement. Although he was scheduled to make a final statement, he sent a letter explaining that his absence was due to his psycho-emotional state and expressed regret for his actions. Despite partially admitting guilt, Jaiani did not dispute any of the charges.
He was charged under Article 109, Subsections “t” and “m,” and Article 126, Part 1, Second Part of the Criminal Code of Georgia, offenses that carry a sentence of 16 to 20 years or life imprisonment.
