The murder was the subject of an 18-month OCCRP investigation that highlighted serious procedural irregularities in both the investigation and prosecution of the case.
Georgian courts ruled that Ranger Merab Arevadze died when he was injured by a horse ridden by Mchedlidze. Forensic evidence, however, indicated that the deceased may have suffered two bullet wounds.
Mchedlidze began serving his sentence on May 18, 2012 and was scheduled to be released on May 20, 2015. He originally received a 20-year sentence, but in December 2013 the Georgian Supreme Court reduced the sentence to three years, ruling that he killed Arevadze by accident.
Mchedlidze was among 130 prisoners whose sentences were commuted on March 6 by the Georgian president.
