Criminal case concerning the joint organization of a contract killing of Nikoloz Kvaratskhelia has been solved.

"The Prosecution Service of Georgia has issued an indictment charging Guram Kakulia, Davit Kakulia, and Besarion Zhvania with the joint organization of the intentional contract killing of Nikoloz Kvaratskhelia.

As established by the investigation conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, brothers Guram and Davit Kakulia, acting out of revenge against so-called thief-in-law Gia Kvaratskhelia and with the aim of strengthening their authority within the "thieves` underworld", planned the killing of his son, Nikoloz Kvaratskhelia, by commissioning a contract killing. It was established that the father of the Kakulia brothers, so-called thief-in-law Davit Kakulia, was killed in Moscow on August 25, 2001. Information had circulated within the "thieves` underworld" and the wider public that the killing had allegedly been commissioned by Gia Kvaratskhelia.

Guram and Davit Kakulia shared their intent to organize the contract killing with their associate, Besarion Zhvania, and agreed to jointly organize the killing of Nikoloz Kvaratskhelia. Zhvania undertook to locate the perpetrators and contacted Aleko Chelidze and Giorgi Kaviladze, proposing that they carry out the contract killing on behalf of the Kakulia brothers. They agreed. In July and August 2021, Aleko Chelidze and Giorgi Kaviladze, under Besarion Zhvania`s coordination, travelled multiple times to the Republic of Armenia to meet with the commissioners of the contract killing, Guram and Davit Kakulia, where they received instructions necessary for organizing the killing.

To facilitate the organization and supervision of the contract killing, Guram and Davit Kakulia illegally crossed the state border of Georgia in early September 2021. With Zhvania`s knowledge, they were accommodated at a residence owned by Besarion Zhvania`s family on Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue No. 78 in Tbilisi. Aleko Chelidze and Giorgi Kaviladze regularly visited the residence, where the Kakulia brothers provided them with a Redmi mobile phone for communication related to the commission of the crime.

Aleko Chelidze and Giorgi Kaviladze unlawfully acquired a firearm and ammunition intended for use in carrying out the contract killing. They identified the victim`s residence and conducted daily surveillance to study his movements.

On 14 September 2021, Aleko Chelidze and Giorgi Kaviladze rented a Hyundai Elantra vehicle in preparation for committing the crime.

On September 15, 2021, at approximately 16:20, they ambushed Nikoloz Kvaratskhelia near Anjaparidze Street in Tbilisi. Aleko Chelidze fired multiple shots at the victim at the scene. Nikoloz Kvaratskhelia attempted to flee, but Aleko Chelidze pursued him and continued shooting, inflicting life-threatening injuries. After the shooting was over, Aleko Chelidze and Giorgi Kaviladze fled the scene by a vehicle driven by Kaviladze. Despite being transported to hospital by passers-by, the Nikoloz Kvaratskhelia died later the same day as a result of the injuries sustained. Immediately after carrying out the contract killing, Aleko Chelidze and Giorgi Kaviladze informed commissioners, Guram and Davit Kakulia, by phone. Shortly thereafter, Kakulia brothers left their temporary residence. Giorgi Kaviladze also contacted Besarion Zhvania using a taxi driver’s phone and hinted during the call that the contract killing of Nikoloz Kvaratskhelia had been carried out.

The Prosecution Service is charging G. Kakulia, D. Kakulia, and B. Zhvania under Articles 25 and 109 §2(e) and §3(c) of the Criminal Code of Georgia (as in force in 2021), which provide for punishment of up to 20 years or life imprisonment.

As the public is aware, Aleko Chelidze and Giorgi Kaviladze have already been convicted of jointly committing the intentional killing of N. Kvaratskhelia and illegal purchase, possession and carrying of firearms and have been sentenced to 17 and 16 years of imprisonment, respectively. Brothers Kakulia, charged with joint organization of the murder ordered by N. Kvaratskhelia, have been convicted and are serving prison sentences in relation to another criminal case. We would like to remind the public that in 2022, the Kakulia brothers shot and wounded a person with a firearm several times with murder intent on Arakishvili Street and each of them were sentenced to 9 years in prison for this act.

The Prosecution Service will apply to the court, within the statutory time limit, for pre-trial detention as a preventive measure against Besarion Zhvania. He will be declared wanted in accordance with the law. The investigation is ongoing to identify other persons involved in the crime", - says the agency.