Georgia court sentences two to 18 years for murder of Russian tourist PHOTO

The Zugdidi City Court in Georgia’s Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region has sentenced Revaz Pakeliani and Bejan Chkaduа, both natives of Svaneti, to 18 years in prison for the killing of Russian national Viktor Solovyov on January 5, Interpressnews reports, citing the country’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office.

The court found that the men, armed with a pistol and a knife, attacked two Russian tourists, assaulting and robbing them before fatally shooting Solovyov, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The suspects were arrested by local police on January 6. They faced charges under Georgia’s Criminal Code, including premeditated murder committed by a group (Article 109, parts “G” and “I”), banditry committed by a group (Article 179, part 2), unlawful detention with violence or threat of violence (Article 143, part 3), and illegal possession of firearms (Article 236, part 3).

Officials at the Zugdidi District Court confirmed that the families of both the deceased and the injured victim were fully informed throughout the investigation and trial.

Under Georgian law, murder with aggravating circumstances carries a sentence of up to 20 years’ imprisonment or life in prison. Svaneti is a popular destination for Russian tourists visiting Georgia, with around 50,000 visitors arriving in the region each year.

To recall, Viktor Solovyov, a 38-year-old Russian businessman from Tula, was murdered in Georgia on January 5. He was attacked by two men while driving to the Tetnuldi ski resort with his partner, Alina, who escaped unharmed.

His body was later found in the Nakra River. Two suspects, aged 32 and 38, were arrested and charged with murder, robbery, and illegal possession of firearms.

By Aghakazim Guliyev