Official Speaks of Details of Zhvania’s Forensic Expertise

Deputy Justice Minister Levan Samkharauli said that according to the preliminary forensic results , the contents of carboxihemoglobin in the blood of Zurab Zhvania amounted to 40%, which is fatal.

Deputy Prosecutor General of Georgia Giorgi Janashia said earlier that according to the preliminary conclusion of medical experts, Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania died of asphyxiation due to increased carbon monoxide (CO) levels.

He said that the heating system used at the residence where Zhvania died did not properly circulate air and that a build-up of carbon monoxide within the house resulted in the asphyxiation of Zhvania and Deputy Governor of Shida Kartli region Raul Usupov, whom the Prime Minister was visiting.

COHb impairs the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, putting a strain on tissues with high oxygen demand, such as the heart and the brain. The signs and symptoms of CO poisoning appear when COHb concentrations exceed 10%.

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