Heart attack causes death of Georgian man in Kiev

A Georgian man found dead in the centre of Kiev did not die from violent-related activities but of a heart attack. 

Medical experts confirmed 53-year-old Zurab Khurtsia, a Georgian citizen who has lived in Kiev for the past two years, died after suffering from a heart attack.

Khurtsia was found dead on February 18 – the first day of the renewed clashes between demonstrators and local police.

Officials said there were no signs of violence on his body, which was found on Institutskaya Street, near Independence Square, which has been ground zero for anti-Government protesters.

Speaking from Ukraine, the Council of Georgia in Ukraine, Konstantine Sabiashvili, said Khurtsia suffered from diabetes and had had a heart attack in the past.

"We suggest that the dangerous situation in the Maidan square, near where he was, caused the heart attack,” Sabiashvili said.

He said the Georgian consulate in Kiev was involved in the process of ensuring Khurtsia’s body was transported back to Georgia and returned to his family in a timely manner.

"We are waiting for confirmation from his family and only after that, the body will be transported by plane. We will do it as soon as we get the very first call from them,” Sabiashvili said.

Khurtsia was a refugee from Gagra, Abkhazia, which is a breakaway region of Georgia. He owned a small business in Kiev. Khurtsia’s family members said he did not usually attend rallies at the Maidan.

A 24-hour hotline is now operating for Georgian citizens living in Ukraine. According to latest official data, more than 100000 Georgian citizen live in Ukraine.