In January 2025, in Mestia, the suspects in the attack on tourists and the murder of one of them were sentenced to 18 years in prison each, the Prosecutor’s Office reports.

According to the agency, the Zugdidi District Court fully accepted the evidence presented by the prosecution and found two individuals guilty of intentional murder committed by a group under aggravating circumstances, robbery, and illegal deprivation of liberty.

“Evidence examined during the court proceedings confirmed that on January 5, 2025, in the Mestia municipality, the defendants attacked two foreign nationals in a robbery. During the attack, one of the defendants, using a knife, restrained one victim’s ability to resist, while the other defendant inflicted injuries on the victim with an unregistered firearm. As a result of these injuries, the victim died at the scene. Following this, the defendants forced the second victim into a car at gunpoint and knife threat and left them in an uninhabited area, where passersby provided assistance.

Law enforcement officers arrested the suspects on January 6. They were charged under Article 109, subparagraphs “g” and “i” of the Criminal Code of Georgia (intentional murder committed by a group, committed to cover up another crime and facilitate its commission), Article 179, part 2, subparagraph “b” (robbery committed by a group), Article 143, part 3, subparagraphs “a” and “e” (illegal deprivation of liberty committed by a premeditated group using violence dangerous to life and health and the threat of such violence). Additionally, one of the defendants was charged under Article 236, parts 3 and 4 (illegal acquisition, possession, and carrying of firearms and ammunition).

The Zugdidi District Court found the defendants guilty of the charges and sentenced them each to 18 years of imprisonment,” the statement reads.