Tbilisi Appeals Court upholds life sentence for convicted killer of transgender woman

The Tbilisi Court of Appeals has upheld the life sentence of Beka Jaiani, who was convicted of murdering transgender woman Kesaria Abramidze. The Prosecutor's Office confirmed on July 21 that the appellate court left the original verdict unchanged.

Jaiani was found guilty on April 16, 2025, by Judge Nino Galustashvili of the Tbilisi City Court on all charges brought against him. He was sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder, which he partially admitted—acknowledging the killing but denying aggravating circumstances. His defense team appealed the ruling immediately after the verdict was delivered.

The body of 36-year-old Kesaria Abramidze was discovered on September 18, 2024, in her apartment on Avtandili Street in Tbilisi. A forensic examination concluded that she died from severe blood loss caused by multiple stab wounds.

Jaiani, 26, was arrested six hours after the murder near Kutaisi International Airport. According to the prosecution, and as confirmed by the court, Jaiani attempted to flee the scene and leave the country. He also tried to destroy evidence—disposing of his bloodied clothing, cleaning the crime scene, and hiding his mobile phone.

The court also found that Jaiani had subjected Abramidze to both physical and psychological abuse prior to the murder.