Kobakhidze Announces Major Security Reshuffle, New Law Enforcement Coordination Post
By Messenger Staff
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced a sweeping set of leadership changes, on April 21, including the creation of a new government role and multiple high-level appointments across the security sector.
Kobakhidze unveiled the reshuffle at a briefing in the government administration, standing alongside Mamuka Mdinaradze, Geka Geladze, and Sulkhan Tamazashvili. All three are expected to take up new positions once approved by the Georgian Dream-dominated parliament. Kobakhidze called on the disputed legislature to endorse the appointments during next week's plenary session.
Mdinaradze, who has headed the State Security Service of Georgia since September 2025, will move into a newly created post, "State Minister for Coordination of Law Enforcement Bodies." Kobakhidze said a draft law establishing the position will be submitted to parliament and urged lawmakers to fast-track it next week.
"Since his appointment as SSSG chief, Mamuka Mdinaradze had to step away from political activity," Kobakhidze said. "From the new position, he will return to political activity, which will strengthen our political team." He added that Mdinaradze will also serve as a vice prime minister.
Kobakhidze credited Mdinaradze with a "very successful" tenure, citing "very important achievements," including "systemic reforms" within the agency and "particularly successful" work against corruption.
Geladze, who has led the Ministry of Internal Affairs since May 2025, will succeed Mdinaradze as head of the State Security Service. Kobakhidze thanked him for the ministry's "particular achievements," emphasizing progress in the "fight against organized crime, drug-related crimes and many more," as well as "systemic reforms."
Tamazashvili, currently chair of the Government of the Adjara Autonomous Republic since April 2025, will replace Geladze as Interior Minister. Kobakhidze described his tenure in Adjara as "very successful."
Before becoming Adjara government chair, Tamazashvili served as director of the Tbilisi police department within the Interior Ministry. He was sanctioned by the United Kingdom in December 2024, during the early weeks of ongoing anti-government protests, for "serious human rights violations."
Kobakhidze said a new candidate for chair of the Adjara government will be named "in the coming days."
He also announced that Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili will serve as an additional Vice Prime Minister.
