Chief MIA instructor resigns amid protests over Georgia’s halted EU integration plans

Giorgi Gabekhadze, Chief Instructor of the Tactical Training Service at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Academy, has resigned from his post, following the Government’s decision last month to halt the country’s EU integration until 2028.

Gabekhadze announced his decision on Facebook on Monday, sharing a message that included the flags of Georgia and the European Union.
In his post, he said he had “addressed the rector of the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia with a letter to resign from my position and from the ministry system.”

Days earlier, on November 29, he had posted a photo of the Georgian and EU flags, signaling his stance on the government’s decision to suspend EU negotiations.

President Salome Zourabichvili welcomed Gabekhadze’s decision, describing it as “a sign of the collapse of the repressive apparatus” and calling on others in state institutions to prioritize national interests over personal careers.

Gabekhadze’s resignation comes amid ongoing protests sparked by the government’s controversial decision to halt the European integration process and reject EU budget grants until 2028.

Demonstrations began on November 28 and have spread nationwide, with citizens condemning the ruling Georgian Dream party for delaying the country’s EU aspirations. Protesters are demanding new parliamentary elections, accusing the government of stalling reforms crucial for EU membership by 2030.