Kobakhidze Names Mamuka Mdinaradze as New Security Service Chief
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has nominated Mamuka Mdinaradze, the ruling party's parliamentary majority leader, as the new head of the State Security Service (SSSG), after the resignation of Anri Okhanashvili.
Okhanashvili announced his resignation on August 23 in a statement posted to the SSSG's Facebook page, saying he stepped down "after consulting with the ruling team" and would become Kobakhidze's adviser on national security. The statement was initially released without naming him as its author, briefly causing confusion until his name was added. Shortly afterward, Kobakhidze held a solo briefing to confirm Mdinaradze as his choice to replace him.
Okhanashvili was appointed to lead the agency in April after the removal of Grigol Liluashvili, who had served since 2019. Before that, he spent just a few months as justice minister, a position he assumed in November 2024. A Georgian Dream member since 2016, he offered no explanation for his latest departure but thanked the party and its billionaire founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili. "I would like to express special gratitude to Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili for his trust and constant support in my political endeavors," his letter said.
In his briefing, Kobakhidze thanked Okhanashvili for his service but gave no details about the reasons for his exit. He said Okhanashvili would take on an "important mission" as his adviser on security matters. Announcing Mdinaradze's nomination, Kobakhidze said he "does not require a special introduction" and highlighted his "many years of experience in law enforcement agencies."
Mdinaradze, one of Georgian Dream's most prominent figures, must be confirmed by parliament, which resumes work in September. Kobakhidze framed the appointment within the government's anti-crime agenda, noting "very important steps" in recent months against corruption, narcotics, and organized crime. "Although the results are already impressive, we need additional efforts to ultimately eradicate the problems facing our country," he said. "In this, Mamuka Mdinaradze, as State Security Service chief, can make a serious contribution."
