Former Adjara Leader Tornike Rizhvadze Hospitalized After Alleged Suicide Attempt
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Tornike Rizhvadze, the former head of the Adjara Autonomous Republic government, was hospitalized on July 7 with a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the Georgian Interior Ministry.
He was admitted to a hospital in Sagarejo, in the eastern Kakheti region, where doctors treated a lung injury. The ministry said his condition is stable but serious.
Authorities have opened an investigation under Article 115 of the Criminal Code, which concerns incitement to suicide. One person has been detained under Article 238 for the negligent storage of firearms.
Pro-government broadcaster Imedi described the incident as a suicide attempt. Citing another outlet, Prime Time, the station reported that medical staff found a note in Rizhvadze's clothing. According to the report, Rizhvadze wrote that he had been accused of "corruption and protecting drug dealers," and appealed to Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to protect his family.
"My friends, employees, and family members are innocent," the note reportedly said. "They only acted on my orders."
Rizhvadze also allegedly referred to "Aleko," believed to be Aleko Akhvlediani, the director of Georgia's Maritime Transport Agency. Imedi reported that the weapon used belonged to Akhvlediani, and that Rizhvadze claimed to have taken it without his knowledge. He reportedly wrote that Akhvlediani bore no responsibility.
Rizhvadze led the government of the Black Sea region of Adjara from 2018 until his resignation on April 4. His departure was part of a series of high-level exits from the ruling Georgian Dream party.
