Transgender model killed after an anti-LGBT law passed in Georgia

Abramidze gained prominence in 2014 when she underwent gender reassignment surgery. She was attacked in her own home in Tbilisi, where she suffered over 50 stab wounds. The model's body was discovered yesterday evening by neighbours. A suspect in the murder, 26-year-old Beka Jaiani, was apprehended at the airport while attempting to flee the country.

President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili, an opponent of the controversial law, expressed her outrage and stated that this tragic murder is a denial of humanity. She expressed hope that the death of a beautiful young woman would prompt society to have greater empathy and to act in a more Christian manner.

Abramidze had over half a million followers on social media and represented Georgia in the Miss Trans Star International 2018 competition. This is now the third high-profile murder of a transgender woman in Georgia in recent years.

According to the Daily Mail, the new law introduced in Georgia, similar to that in Russia, bans same-sex marriage, adoption by same-sex couples, and state support in the gender reassignment process. The President of Georgia vetoed the law, and the British embassy in Tbilisi expressed deep concern. The embassy noted that the new package of laws undermines fundamental human rights, such as freedom of expression and the right to assembly, and also increases the risk of further stigmatisation and discrimination against LGBT people.

The Social Justice Centre (SJC), quoted by the Daily Mail, noted in its statement that there is a direct link between hate speech in politics and hate crimes. The SJC emphasised that for nearly a year, the Georgian government has been aggressively using hate speech and engaging in mass propaganda. Such policies lead to serious consequences, including harassment, marginalisation, and violence against LGBT people. The murder of Kesaria Abramidze should be analysed in the context of this broader phenomenon.