PM appoints new Minister of Internal Affairs

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has introduced Deputy Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri as the country’s new Minister of Internal Affairs.

Gomelauri's promotion comes following the January 23 resignation of former Interior Minister Aleksandre Tchikaidze, who said false accusations towards him following the recent murder of Iuri Vazagashvili were the reason for his decision to leave the Governmental post.

Gomelauri, 39, has several years’ experience working in Internal Affairs and has served as Deputy Interior Minister since March 2013.

PM Garibashvili was confident Gomelauri knew exactly what needed to be done at the Ministry.

"He has fully realised the level of responsibility attached to this post,” the PM said when introducing Gomelauri as the new Minister.

In response Gomelauri said "this Ministry is not new for me” and "I will do my best to justify your hopes”.

Until 2013, Gomelauri led the Bodyguard Service of Georgian tycoon and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. Before this he served at the Security Police Department of the Interior Ministry.

He speaks Georgia, English and Russian and is married with two children.