Gogiashvili's defence disputes financial motive in Moscow double-murder case

The lawyer for 47-year-old Teimuraz Gogiashvili Ibragim Marziev said the defence does not dispute his client's involvement in the deaths of Yelena Tsereteli and her daughter, but challenges investigators' conclusions about motive and intent, TASS reported.

According to Marziev, Gogiashvili attributes the daughter's killing to a sudden emotional dispute over her lifestyle. The lawyer said the disagreement extended beyond buying a car and claimed the intent to kill arose during the argument. This is the account of the accused and his defence.

To support the defence's rejection of a financial motive, Marziev said Gogiashvili had pointed out a jewellery box left in the apartment during a verification of his account. The lawyer argued that this circumstance required separate consideration.

Gogiashvili is accused of killing the businesswoman and her daughter and of unlawful weapons possession. The lawyer's statements do not constitute a judicial finding on the motives for the alleged crimes.