Former Adjara Government Head Rizhvadze wounded in shooting incident

Tornike Rizhvadze, the former chairman of the government of Georgia’s Autonomous Republic of Adjara, has been wounded by a gunshot and is currently receiving treatment in hospital, officials have confirmed.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Monday morning, Rizhvadze was admitted to Sagarejo Geohospital with a gunshot wound to the chest. Doctors said he suffered lung damage and remains in a stable but serious condition.

The Ministry added that an investigation has been launched under the article of incitement to suicide. One individual has been arrested in connection with the case, reportedly on charges of careless possession of a firearm.

Local media outlets Pirveli and Mtavari Arhi reported that the incident took place at the Sagarejo home of Aleksi Akhvlediani, a former chairman of Georgia’s National Olympic Committee and currently the head of the Maritime Transport Agency.

Rizhvadze served as the head of Adjara’s government from July 2018 until his resignation in April 2025, which he announced on Facebook.