Nephew of Minister’s Father-in-Law Appointed Head of General Inspection at MIA

Natalia Sarkisashvili, Information Center of Kakheti

Zviad Jankarashvili, nephew of Tamaz Tamazashvili—father-in-law of Irakli Garibashvili, Minister of Internal Affairs—now occupies the position of Head of General Inspection at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Additionally, though Garibashvili’s brother-in-law Aleksandre Tamazashvili does not work at the Ministry, he makes decisions regarding personnel changes in police offices and certain public agencies in the Kakheti region.

Before occupying the position of Head of General Inspection at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), Zviad Jankarashvili chaired the Signagi office of the Georgian Dream in the period leading up to the parliamentary elections that took place on October 1, 2012.

Jankarashvili’s lawyer, Tamar Kordzaia, stated that his client’s appointment to this high MIA position did not breach the law, but it remains an unsettling possibility.

Irakli Garibashvili’s brother-in-law, Aleksandre “Lekso” Tamazashvili, failed to win a seat in the parliamentary elections as a majoritarian candidate in the Dedoplistskaro district. However, after several MPs from the Georgian Dream moved to the executive government, Tamazashvili was able to join the parliament according to the party list. He replaced former MP Nodar Khaduri.

According to the ICK, Tamazashvili makes decisions about personnel changes at police offices and different public agencies in the Kakheti region. Among his seemingly nepotistic choices are the new head of Kakheti’s regional patrol police department, Dimitry Maisuradze —confirmed to be a close friend of Tamazashvili’s—and Dedoplistkaro’s new chief police officer, Ivane Zurabashvili, a relative of the Tamazashvilis.

Tamazashvili denies information regarding his involvement in personnel changes. “How could I interfere with the work of the patrol police? How could I hold meetings with them? Show me the people with whom I organized meetings and to whom I gave instructions. What shall I answer to this question? It is a rumor, and my suggestion is to check the information first. I respect your media outlet; I know that you are calling me from a serious media organization, but how shall I answer you?” said Tamazashvili.

According to information verified by the ICK, Temur Metreveli is set to occupy the position of head of the Telavi district’s fire-rescue service. Metreveli is likewise a friend of Tamazashvili’s.

Metreveli is a former activist for the National Movement. In 2010, he was accused of murdering Dito Dentoshvili, 42, in Telavi. The ICK has released information about the incident. On February 9, 2010 the Telavi district court found Metreveli guilty under Article 117, Part II of the Criminal Code of Georgia (“The Code”)—referring to the commission of a premeditated, serious injury resulting in the death of a victim—and was sentenced to a four-year imprisonment; however, in accordance with Article 50, Part V of the Code, his sentence was reduced by one year, and the remaining three years were commuted to a conditional four-year probation sentence in accordance with Articles 63 and 64 of the Code; additionally, in accordance with Articles 41 and 42 of the Code, he was fined 5,000 lari. Metreveli was released from prison in 2011.

It should be recalled that Chief Prosecutor of Georgia Archil Kbilashvili appointed his group- and classmates to senior positions at prosecutor’s offices in the capital and beyond. Among them are the new Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Georgia, Tbilisi Prosecutor, Regional Prosecutors and heads of certain departments at the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia. Tbilisi Prosecutor Davit Kochlamazashvili is Kbilashvili’s relative, and Kbiliashvili is his son’s godfather.