The Tbilisi City Court has sentenced three juveniles in connection with the death of teacher Giga Avaliani, concluding a case that has drawn significant public attention.
Judge Romeo Tkeshelashvili ruled that Aleksandre Gabashvili and Giorgi Rikadze will each serve 14 years in prison, while Demetre Chikovani was sentenced to 9 years. However, under Georgia’s Juvenile Justice Code, the sentences were reduced by one quarter. As a result, Gabashvili and Rikadze will serve 10 years and 6 months in prison, and Chikovani will serve 6 years and 9 months.
The court found the defendants guilty on April 4. Gabashvili and Rikadze were convicted on all charges brought against them, while Chikovani was found guilty under two parts of one article.
The charges included intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm committed by a group, resulting in death, as well as organizing and participating in group violence. The case also incorporated a separate episode in Tbilisi’s Didi Dighomi district, where all three were charged under provisions related to group violence.
The prosecution says Gabashvili and Rikadze were charged under Part 4 of Article 117 of the Criminal Code, which addresses group-inflicted grievous bodily harm leading to death. All three defendants were additionally charged under Article 225, Parts 1 and 2, which concern the organization and participation in group violence.
Gabashvili and Chikovani attended the sentencing hearing, while Rikadze refused to appear in court. The convicted individuals retained the right to remain silent and may appeal the verdict in accordance with Georgian law.
The case has sparked broader debate in Georgia over youth violence and the justice system’s handling of serious crimes involving minors, particularly when they result in fatal outcomes.
Header image: Giga Avaliani/Facebook
Related story: Three minors found guilty in Giga Avaliani case, sentencing set for April 8
