Three minors sentenced over murder of teacher Giga Avaliani in Tbilisi

Three minors have been sentenced to prison in connection with the murder of teacher Giga Avaliani, in a case that has drawn significant public attention in Tbilisi.

According to the court ruling, Aleksandre Gabashvili and Giorgi Rikadze were each sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison, while Demetre Chikovani received a sentence of six years and nine months. The verdict was delivered by Judge Romeo Tkeshelashvili.

Under Georgia’s juvenile justice legislation, the sentences were reduced by one quarter due to the defendants’ age.

Prosecutors said the incident was premeditated. On 29 September 2025, the three minors allegedly went to an educational centre in the Zghvis Ubani district of Tbilisi, where they planned an attack on Avaliani. However, they were unable to carry out their plan that day due to circumstances beyond their control.

According to the investigation, the attack was later executed on 1 October, when Gabashvili and Rikadze assaulted Avaliani as a group, causing him severe injuries. He died in hospital on 24 October 2025 as a result of those injuries.