In Georgia 15-year-old Azerbaijani stabbed for speaking native language

On July 9, 15-year-old Azerbaijani Ali Mehdiev, who lives in Georgia, was stabbed for speaking his native language.

The incident occurred in the settlement of Vashlijvari in Tbilisi around 19:00. According to reports, one person expressed displeasure that Ali was speaking Azerbaijani, insulted him, and then attacked him with a knife.

Ali Mehdiev’s mother, Sevindj Gulieva, stated that the initial information circulated after the incident was based on the words of people who were near the victim.

What her son said after waking up from anesthesia revealed the true course of events.

“As soon as my son opened his eyes, he told me that everything did not happen that way. According to him, he was talking to a friend. They were speaking both Georgian and Azerbaijani. However, 55-year-old Giorgi Tsabudashvili, who lives in the neighborhood, began insulting my son for speaking Azerbaijani.

We do not know him personally. My son said that when he answered him, the man hit him first. He hit back. After that, the man left, brought a knife, and attacked Ali,” the woman said.

According to S. Gulieva, the incident did not end there. Although her son tried to run away to save himself, the attacker pursued him.

“When my son tried to run away, the man ran after him. Catching up, he stabbed my son from behind. He struck him in the lower back, in the back, and in the stomach. My son has a total of five stab wounds. The most severe blows were to the abdominal area,” she added.

The victim’s mother noted that Azerbaijanis, Georgians, and Armenians live in the neighborhood. They themselves are officially citizens of Georgia.

The woman claimed that the attacker had previously been known for his aggressive attitude toward Azerbaijanis.

“Later I was told that this man does not like our people. He used to fight with other children in the neighborhood as well. We even heard that he tried to strangle one child. My son said that he approached them and demanded that they speak only Georgian. Even though Ali grew up in Georgia and knows Georgian very well. It is just that when they communicate with friends, they speak mixing Georgian and Azerbaijani,” she emphasized.

S. Gulieva stated that at the time of the incident she was at work and was informed about what happened by phone:

“I was told that after my son ran away from him, the man went and took a saw. Seeing this, one of the neighbors tried to take the tool away from him. At that moment, the neighbor himself was slightly injured—the saw cut his hand.”

Currently, 15-year-old A. Mehdiev continues treatment in the intensive care unit.

“The child opened his eyes, talks, and even picks up the phone. But due to the large number of wounds, he has not yet been transferred from intensive care to a ward. His spleen was damaged and removed. He also sustained injuries in the lower part of the heart. Due to severe pain, he is being administered morphine and other painkillers. Doctors say his condition is stable and there is hope for recovery.

We were informed that law enforcement agencies detained the suspect on charges of intentionally causing serious harm to my son’s health and an investigation is underway. However, we learned that this person has a certificate of mental disorder, and I do not know how the process will develop now,” the woman said.