**Life Sentence for Man Who Killed Trans Woman Amid Anti-LGBT Backlash**
In a landmark ruling, Beka Jaiani, the 26-year-old boyfriend of murdered transgender woman Kesaria Abramidze, has been sentenced to life in prison for her brutal killing. The sentence was handed down by Judge Nino Galustashvili at the Tbilisi City Court.
The verdict comes as no surprise given the evidence presented against Jaiani. Abramidze, 37, was found dead in her apartment on September 18, and her boyfriend was arrested the next morning. While Jaiani had partially admitted to the killing, he denied the aggravating circumstances that led to his life sentence.
**A Tragic Reminder of Georgia’s Anti-LGBT Crackdown**
The murder of Abramidze is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by members of the LGBT community in Georgia. Just one day before her murder, Georgia’s parliament passed an anti-LGBT law that restricts freedom of expression and assembly for sexual minorities. This law has been widely criticized by human rights organizations and international bodies.
The ruling is likely to be the last under existing hate crime provisions that refer to gender identity. The Georgian Dream parliament has already passed amendments in the first reading to remove the terms “gender” and “gender identity” from all legislation. This move is seen as a further escalation of the crackdown on LGBT rights in Georgia.
**A Call for Accountability**
The murder of Abramidze and Jaiani’s subsequent life sentence are a call for accountability in a country where violence against women and girls remains a critical problem. International organizations have long highlighted the need for stronger preventive measures to address femicide, and today’s ruling is a reminder that justice can be served when perpetrators are held accountable.
The ruling will likely be appealed by Jaiani’s lawyer, but for now, it marks a small victory in the fight against violence and hate crimes in Georgia. As the country continues to grapple with its anti-LGBT legislation, today’s verdict serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting human rights and upholding justice for all individuals.
**A Grim Reality**
The murder of Abramidze is a grim reminder that the fight for LGBT rights is far from over. The proposed bill by Georgian Dream parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili to ban LGBT marches and what he called “relevant colourful objects” is another worrying development in this ongoing saga.
As we continue to monitor developments in Georgia, one thing is clear: the fight for justice, equality, and human rights will not be silenced. Today’s ruling is a small step forward, but it is just the beginning of a long journey towards creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
**What Happens Next?**
The Georgian Dream parliament’s amendments to remove “gender” from legislation have already passed in the first reading. The proposed bill to ban LGBT marches and colourful objects is still under consideration by the human rights committee. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the fight for justice, equality, and human rights will not be silenced.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story continues to develop.
