Georgian man dies in Kiev

A Georgian man has been found dead in the centre of Kiev, where waves of ongoing demonstrations clash with local police, causing immense civil unrest.

Georgia’s Ambassador to Ukraine Mikheil Ukleba confirmed the deceased was 53-year-old Zurab Khurtsia, a Georgian citizen who has lived in Kiev for the past two years.

The cause of his death remains unclear. It is also unknown whether he was participating in the protest rallies at the Euromaidan, where the situation is escalating and is becoming increasingly violent.

Officials said there was no signs of violence on his body, which was found on Institutskaya street.

Georgian TV channel Maestro reported Khurtsia was a refugee from Gagra, Abkhazia, which is a breakaway region of Georgia. He was believed to have owned a small business in Kiev, and suffered from diabetes.

Family members of Khurtsia said the 53-year-old did not attend rallies at Maidan as usual.

Speaking from Ukraine, Ukleba said the Georgian consulate in Kiev was involved in the process of ensuring Khurtsia’s body is transported back to Georgia and returned to his family in a timely manner.