Bacho Akhalaia
Encyclopedia
Bachana "Bacho" Akhalaia is a Georgian
politician and the country's Minister of Defense
since August 27, 2009.
Akhalaia graduated from Tbilisi State University
with a degree in Law in 2004. From 2003 to 2004, he worked for the NGO Liberty Institute
, known for his role in protests that led to the Rose Revolution
in Georgia in November 2003. From 2004 to 2005, Akhalaia served as deputy Public Defender (Ombudsman
) under his fellow Liberty Institute activist Sozar Subari
. In 2005, Akhalaia was moved to the post of Head of Penitentiary Department of Ministry of Justice of Georgia. In this capacity he led a struggle against the established system of "thieves in law
" which ruled prisons in the post-Soviet country, but he was a frequent target of criticism by the opposition, some human rights groups and Public Defender Subari. In particular, he was accused of heavy-handed crackdown on Georgia's largest prison riot in 2006, in which 7 inmates died.
In December 2008, in the aftermath of the August 2008 war with Russia
, Akhalaia was appointed deputy Minister of Defense. The Georgian media
ran stories about Akhalaia's alleged tensions with then-Minister Vasil Sikharulidze
and Chief of Joint Staff Vladimer Chachibaia
. On August 27, 2009, Akhalaia replaced Sikharulidze as Minister of Defense. President of Georgia
Mikheil Saakashvili
said "much stricter hand" was needed in the military and praised Akhalaia's past achievements. The Georgian opposition subjeted the decision to harsh criticism.
Akhalaia is seen as a close ally of Saakashvili and the influential Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili
. His brother, Data Akhalaia, heads Department for Constitutional Security at the Interior Ministry and his father, Roland Akhalaia, is a chief prosecutor of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti
region in western Georgia.
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
politician and the country's Minister of Defense
Ministry of Defense (Georgia)
The Ministry of Defense of Georgia is the Georgian government ministry, in charge of Georgian Armed Forces and regulating activities in defense of the country from external threats, preserving territorial integrity and waging wars on behalf of Georgia...
since August 27, 2009.
Akhalaia graduated from Tbilisi State University
Tbilisi State University
Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University , better known as Tbilisi State University , is a university established on 8 February 1918 in Tbilisi, Georgia. TSU is the oldest university in the whole Caucasus region...
with a degree in Law in 2004. From 2003 to 2004, he worked for the NGO Liberty Institute
Liberty Institute (Georgia)
Liberty Institute is a Georgian research and advocacy organization affiliated with Ilia Chavchavadze State University.Liberty has always been the cornerstone of established Georgian values. It has been transformed into classical liberal tradition by Ilia Chavchavadze...
, known for his role in protests that led to the Rose Revolution
Rose Revolution
The "Revolution of Roses" was a change of power in Georgia in November 2003, which took place after having widespread protests over the disputed parliamentary elections...
in Georgia in November 2003. From 2004 to 2005, Akhalaia served as deputy Public Defender (Ombudsman
Ombudsman
An ombudsman is a person who acts as a trusted intermediary between an organization and some internal or external constituency while representing not only but mostly the broad scope of constituent interests...
) under his fellow Liberty Institute activist Sozar Subari
Sozar Subari
Sozar Subari is a Georgian journalist and human rights activist who served as a Public Defender of Georgia from 2004 to 2009....
. In 2005, Akhalaia was moved to the post of Head of Penitentiary Department of Ministry of Justice of Georgia. In this capacity he led a struggle against the established system of "thieves in law
Thief in law
Thief in law is a criminal who is respected, has authority and a high ranking status within the...
" which ruled prisons in the post-Soviet country, but he was a frequent target of criticism by the opposition, some human rights groups and Public Defender Subari. In particular, he was accused of heavy-handed crackdown on Georgia's largest prison riot in 2006, in which 7 inmates died.
In December 2008, in the aftermath of the August 2008 war with Russia
2008 South Ossetia war
The 2008 South Ossetia War or Russo-Georgian War was an armed conflict in August 2008 between Georgia on one side, and Russia and separatist governments of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the other....
, Akhalaia was appointed deputy Minister of Defense. The Georgian media
Georgian Media
The Media in Georgia is relatively accessible and caters to a wide variety of audiences. A large percentage of households have a television, and most have at least one radio...
ran stories about Akhalaia's alleged tensions with then-Minister Vasil Sikharulidze
Vasil Sikharulidze
Vasil Sikharulidze is a Georgian diplomat and politician. He has been foreign affairs advisor to the President of Georgia since August 27, 2009...
and Chief of Joint Staff Vladimer Chachibaia
Vladimer Chachibaia
Colonel Vladimer Chachibaia is a Georgian military officer who was a Chief of Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Georgia from November 4, 2008 to March 5, 2009....
. On August 27, 2009, Akhalaia replaced Sikharulidze as Minister of Defense. President of Georgia
President of Georgia
The President of Georgia is the head of state, supreme commander-in-chief and holder of the highest office within the Government of Georgia. Executive power is split between the President and the Prime Minister, who is the head of government...
Mikheil Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili is a Georgian politician, the third and current President of Georgia and leader of the United National Movement Party.Involved in the national politics since 1995, Saakashvili became president on 25 January 2004 after President Eduard Shevardnadze resigned in a November 2003...
said "much stricter hand" was needed in the military and praised Akhalaia's past achievements. The Georgian opposition subjeted the decision to harsh criticism.
Akhalaia is seen as a close ally of Saakashvili and the influential Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili
Vano Merabishvili
Ivane Merabishvili is a Georgian politician who has served as the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs since December 18, 2004...
. His brother, Data Akhalaia, heads Department for Constitutional Security at the Interior Ministry and his father, Roland Akhalaia, is a chief prosecutor of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti
Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti
Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti is a region in western Georgia which includes the historical Georgian provinces of Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti and has Zugdidi as its capital.-Geography:...
region in western Georgia.