Georgian Lawmaker Of Ruling Party Found Dead At Home

Georgian deputy Irakli Khakhubia (file photo)

TBILISI -- A Georgian lawmaker from the ruling Georgian Dream party, Irakli Khakhubia, has been found dead in his house in Tbilisi with a firearm next to him.

Foul play has not been completely ruled out, but the Interior Ministry told RFE/RL on October 27 that a probe has been launched into Khakhubia's death, with suicide considered as the likely cause.

Media reports say the 51-year-old lawmaker had health problems after he lost his 21-year-old son Beka Khakhubia, who died in a traffic accident while trying to escape from police in 2017.

In 2019, two police officers were found guilty of abuse of power that led to the death of Beka Khakhubia and were sentenced to 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 years in prison.