Court orders detention for all suspects in businessman Levan Jangveladze murder case

On 14 August, Tbilisi City Court ordered pre-trial detention for all five suspects in the murder of businessman Levan Jangveladze.

The decision applies to brothers Giorgi and Davit Mikadze, Giorgi Jokhadze, Giorgi Kachkashishvili, and Mamuka Baghdavadze. Davit Mikadze and Giorgi Jokhadze were charged in absentia as they remain at large and are wanted by police.

The prosecution requested detention for all five, while the defence proposed bail—Jokhadze’s lawyer offered 30,000 GEL, Kachkashi shvili’s 10,000 GEL, and the Mikadze brothers’ defence 50,000 GEL. The court sided with the prosecution’s request for custody.

During the hearing, Giorgi Mikadze denied any involvement, stating: “I categorically reject the prosecutor’s position. I have nothing to do with this case. Before my arrest, I was warned several times that I would be detained—I did not flee then, and I will not flee now. I demand my freedom. I feel insulted.”

Police detained three suspects in Tbilisi on 12 August and announced a manhunt for the remaining two. Jangveladze, reportedly the brother of so-called “thief-in-law” Merab Jangveladze, was shot dead on Chavchavadze Avenue late at night on 14 March. According to eyewitnesses, the killer fired multiple shots before fleeing, as later confirmed by CCTV footage.

The Interior Ministry said the killing was ordered by the Mikadze brothers, allegedly figures connected to the criminal underworld and to former prosecutor general Otar Partskhaladze. Investigators believe the brothers had business-related disputes and a personal grudge against Jangveladze. They allegedly engaged Giorgi Jokhadze, who, along with Giorgi Kachkashishvili, unlawfully acquired firearms for the murder.

The suspected gunman, identified as G.U., born in 1975, was arrested on 17 March. All suspects are currently exercising their right to remain silent and deny the charges.