Prepared by Messenger Staff
Former Georgian Security Chief Resigns and Leaves Country, Thanks President and US Embassy
Irakli Shaishmelashvili, the former head of the Operational Planning Division of the Special Tasks Department at Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs, has left the country with his family following his resignation in early December 2024. He shared a photo from Tbilisi International Airport on Facebook, expressing gratitude to President Salome Zourabichvili and the US Embassy in Georgia.
In his social media post, Shaishmelashvili wrote: "Special thanks to those strangers who showed incredible support and love. I hope that I will be given the opportunity to pay this respect in a dignified way. P.S. I will get back to you soon."
Shaishmelashvili's departure comes amid ongoing political tensions in Georgia. He resigned from his position on December 4, 2024, citing "family circumstances" in his official statement. His resignation and subsequent departure coincide with a period of significant unrest in the country, including protests against the government's decision to delay EU accession talks.
Russian Occupiers Abduct Two Georgian Citizens Near Kvemo Nikozi
Russian occupation forces illegally abducted and detained two Georgian citizens near the village of Kvemo Nikozi in central Georgia's Gori municipality, adjacent to the occupied Tskhinvali region, on December 26, 2024. The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) immediately responded to the incident by activating "all existing mechanisms" to secure the prompt release of the detained individuals.
The SSSG informed the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) and international partners about the incident. The Geneva International Discussions serve as the primary platform for addressing the consequences of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.
The SSSG emphasized that "the occupying force bears responsibility for all destructive actions committed in the occupied territories of Georgia, as well as along the occupation line."
