A 37-year-old transgender woman, Kesaria Abramidze, was found brutally murdered in her home in the Didi Digomi district of Tbilisi on Wednesday. The Georgia Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that a suspect, Beka Djaiani, 26, has been detained in connection with the crime in which Abramidze had suffered multiple stab wounds. Surveillance footage played a crucial role in the swift apprehension of Djaiani, with cameras capturing him inside Abramidze’s building around the time of her murder. The footage shows Djaiani waiting for an elevator before hastily descending the stairs 15 minutes later. Authorities also recovered what they believe to be the murder weapon, a knife, strengthening the case against Djaiani.
Preliminary findings suggest that Abramidze's murder was perpetrated by someone acquainted with her, prompted by an altercation. This hypothesis is supported by evidence of a suspected argument between Abramidze and Djaiani prior to the attack.
In a statement to media outlet Jam News, Public Defender Levan Ioseliani condemned the murder and criticised the broader societal and law enforcement response to crimes driven by hatred and issues surrounding gender identity. He expressed hope for a swift and severe punishment for the perpetrator, underscoring the need for stringent responses to such violent acts.
Kesaria Abramidze’s tragic death has exacerbated existing tensions, coinciding with the recent passage of the “On the Protection of Family Values and Minors” law by the Georgian Parliament. The legislation, which came into effect just a day before the murder, introduces significant restrictions on discussions, education, and public gatherings related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Additionally, it limits access to gender-affirming healthcare and impedes the ability to update gender identity on official documents.
The law has drawn sharp criticism from international bodies and human rights advocates. The United Nations Human Rights Office, through spokesperson Liz Throssell, voiced concerns that such legislation could propagate hate speech, spark further violence, and perpetuate stigma, intolerance, and misinformation.
Michael Roth, Chairman of the Bundestag's Committee on International Relations, directly linked Abramidze's murder to the controversial law. Via social media platform Twitter/X, Roth commented, “Those who sow hatred will reap violence,” expressing his shock over the incident and urging the Georgian ruling party, ‘Georgian Dream’, to revoke the newly passed legislation.
Source: Noah Wire Services