A Tbilisi City Court has found three minors guilty in connection with the death of teacher Giga Avaliani, in a case that has drawn significant public attention in Georgia.
Judge Romeo Tkeshelashvili delivered the verdict, ruling that the defendants — Aleksandre Gabashvili, Giorgi Rikadze, and Demetre Chikovani — were guilty of intentionally inflicting severe bodily harm as a group, resulting in death. They were also convicted of organizing and participating in group violence.
Based on the charges, the assault was carried out collectively and led to fatal consequences, placing the case under particularly grave criminal provisions in Georgian law. Due to the involvement of minors, parts of the proceedings were handled with legal protections applicable to underage defendants.
At the latest hearing, both the prosecution and defense delivered their closing arguments, after which the defendants exercised their right to a final statement before the court.
The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for April 8, when the court will determine the length and conditions of imprisonment for the three convicted minors.
The case has sparked broader public discussion around youth violence, accountability, and the role of the justice system in dealing with serious crimes involving minors. In Georgia, cases involving group violence leading to death are prosecuted under strict criminal statutes, although sentencing for juveniles may differ from that of adults, taking into account age and rehabilitation considerations.
Header image: Giga Avaliani/Facebook
