Georgian PM extends state protection for election chief, assigns security to investigation service head

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of Georgia has extended the state protection for Giorgi Kalandarishvili, Chairman of the Central Election Commission, and assigned security to Koka Katsitadze, head of the Special Investigation Service.

Resolutions dated 26 December confirm Kalandarishvili’s protection will continue from 1 January to 1 July 2025, while Katsitadze will receive security measures until 1 July 2025, or as needed.

The decision comes amid widespread protests in Georgia against the Government’s decision last month to halt EU accession talks until 2028, with more than 400 demonstrators arrested.

The protesters demand new parliamentary elections, claiming the October 26 vote was rigged, and the release of “political prisoners”.