Georgian PM introduces Mamuka Mdinaradze as new Head of State Security Service

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday officially introduced Mamuka Mdinaradze as the new Head of the State Security Service at an event with the agency’s employees.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze praised Mdinaradze’s qualifications and professionalism while expressing gratitude to the outgoing Head Anri Okhanashvili for his dedicated service.

“Further strengthening the State Security Service is our top priority. Anri Okhanashvili made a very significant contribution to this, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude to him. He is an exceptionally honest and upright person, and he led the agency’s activities with integrity throughout this period”, Kobakhidze said.

He highlighted Mdinaradze’s long-standing role as a prominent leader within the ruling Georgian Dream party, noting his contributions to Georgia’s development and security.

“I would like to introduce Mr. Mamuka Mdinaradze, who has been one of the prominent leaders of the ruling [Georgian Dream] team for many years. He has successfully driven progress and development in various areas, making significant contributions to our country’s development and the strengthening of its security. He has worked successfully in law enforcement structures for years and, accordingly, has exactly the kind of experience that will greatly aid him in successfully leading this agency”, he noted.

In his remarks, Mdinaradze thanked the Government and parliament for their trust and underscored the State Security Service’s critical role in addressing national challenges.

“Our country is successfully striving to secure its unique place on the world map. If our service does not take its proper place in this effort, it may be in vain. What Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili, Mr. Irakli Kobakhidze, and others - today’s leadership of this country - and all of us together, are trying to achieve, requires reinforcement. And in this reinforcement, no agency or service has a role as significant as the State Security Service, and I will rely on each and every one of you in this”, Mdinaradze said.

Anri Okhanashvili, now appointed as the Prime Minister’s advisor on national security issues, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and voiced confidence in Mdinaradze’s leadership.

“It was an honour and a great responsibility for me to serve alongside you to protect our country’s national interests. Therefore, I want to once again express my special gratitude to the Prime Minister for this opportunity”, Okhanashvili said.

Reflecting on their years of collaboration, he added that “I have worked alongside Mr. Mamuka for many years in parliamentary life. We have had to work together in the most challenging situations, and we always emerge from every difficult situation with dignity and in accordance with our country’s national interests. I am doubly pleased that Mr. Mamuka has been chosen as the head of the State Security Service, and I am confident that with all his qualities, skills, professionalism, and patriotism, which he has proven time and again, he will lead this agency with dignity alongside you”.