Former culture minister Nikoloz Rurua found dead in Tbilisi

Georgia’s former Minister of Culture and opposition politician Nikoloz Rurua has been found dead in his Tbilisi apartment, local media reported on Tuesday.

The United National Movement figure, aged 50, died of suspected myocardial infarction, however the cause was not immediately confirmed.

Rurua served as Minister of Culture of Georgia between 2009-2012, during the UNM government in the country.

He also worked as First Deputy Chairperson of the Defence and Security Committee of the Parliament of Georgia.

Tbilisi-born Rurua was a graduate of the city’s State Theatre University and the Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta, the United States.

One of the founders of the Black Sea Jazz Festival in the seaside city of Batumi,  Rurua was also part of in some of the early work for Georgia’s participation in this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair as the official Guest of Honour.

Rurua took part in the early 1990s War in Abkhazia, for preserving Georgia’s territorial integrity following the country’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.

He was awarded the Vakhtang Gorgasali Third Degree State Medal for his part in the conflict.