In 2016, Giga Otkhozoria, an internally displaced person from the Gali district who lived in Zugdidi with his wife, children, and parents, was shot dead on May 19 near the Abkhazia–Samegrelo administrative boundary line. The murder was committed by Rashid Kanjii-Ogli, a border guard of the de facto Abkhaz authorities.

According to the victim’s relatives, the shooting occurred in the village of Khurcha, on territory controlled by Tbilisi, after an argument between Otkhozoria and the de facto customs officer. The young man was reportedly trying to carry food products into Gali, which led to the dispute. After shooting Otkhozoria several times, Kanjii-Ogli approached the wounded man and delivered a fatal shot to the head. The incident was captured on video.

On May 22, citizens gathered outside the Government Chancellery in Tbilisi to protest the killing in silence. Banners read, “We will not tolerate this anymore.” The protest, organized by the civic platform Defend Freedom (DaiTsavi Tavisufleba), featured the sound of a ticking timer — symbolizing a countdown for the government to act.

On May 24, 2016, teachers and students of the Abkhazia Public School No. 1 in Zugdidi held a solidarity rally demanding justice for Otkhozoria’s murder. Participants marched along Zugdidi’s central boulevard carrying posters that read: “We want peace,” “No to occupation,” and “The killer must be punished.” They lit candles in memory of the victim, emphasizing that the perpetrator must be held accountable for his actions.

The rally was joined by United National Movement MP Ana Tsitlidze and members of the Samegrelo Development Center.

On March 7, 2017, the Kutaisi Court of Appeals found Rashid Kanjii-Ogli guilty of Giga Otkhozoria’s premeditated murder and of illegal possession and carrying of firearms, sentencing him in absentia to 14 years in prison. However, the convict remained at large, wanted by Interpol under a red notice.

On December 19, 2023, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favor of Giga Otkhozoria’s family, finding Russia responsible for the killing and ordering it to pay €130,000 in damages.