Investigation launched into murder of 21-year-old Azerbaijani woman in Tbilisi

Georgian authorities have launched an investigation into the murder of a 21-year-old Azerbaijani woman in Tbilisi under Article 108 of the Criminal Code, which covers intentional homicide, the Interior Ministry told Front News.

The case gained public attention after women's rights activist and Sapari chair Baia Pataraia shared details on social media, alleging the killing may have been a case of femicide involving cross-border elements.

According to Pataraia, the young woman travelled from Azerbaijan to Georgia after being persuaded by her boyfriend to start a new life together. She claimed the promised job never materialised and that after the couple ran out of money, the boyfriend allegedly assaulted the woman, pawned her iPhone and abandoned her in Tbilisi before returning to Azerbaijan.

Pataraia said the victim was later taken in by an Armenian woman, who helped her contact relatives in Azerbaijan. A male relative subsequently arrived in Georgia and rented an apartment for the victim, where she was expected to stay temporarily before returning home.

According to the account, the woman later disappeared. After family members were unable to contact her, the Armenian woman visited the apartment and, after neighbours reported hearing a violent argument the previous night, alerted police. Officers forced entry into the apartment and found the woman dead.

Pataraia alleged the suspected killer fled to Türkiye and has been declared wanted.

She also said Sapari had formally requested permission from the Prosecutor's Office to represent the victim's family in the case, adding that the decision now rests with prosecutors once the victim's sister in Azerbaijan is formally recognised as the legal successor.