Police name motive behind murder of Australian Shanae Brooke Edwards in Tbilisi

Armed robbery has been named as a motive behind murder of Australian teacher Shanae Brooke Edwards in Tbilisi back in July 2021. 

The Georgian Chief Prosecutor Office stated earlier today that suspect Rafel Mursakulov, who is a Georgian citizen living in Tbilisi, has been charged with armed robbery and intentional homicide which is punishable by 16-20 years in prison or life imprisonment. 

Mursakulov, who was arrested on September 8, denies allegations against him. 

The Prosecutor’s Office says that he attacked Shanae Brooke Edwards to rob her and then strangled her to conceal the crime. 

Shanae Brooke Edwards arrived in Georgia two years ago and was working as an English-language teacher. 

She went missing on July 30 while on a hike near Mtatsminda park in central Tbilisiand was found dead on the next day.