PM Kobakhidze nominates career security official Borashvili to head State Security Service

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has nominated Tamaz Borashvili, a career security official and current deputy head of the State Security Service (GSSS), to become the agency’s new chief following Gela Geladze’s resignation.

Kobakhidze announced the nomination at a briefing at the Government Administration on Monday, saying Borashvili had spent more than 20 years working in Georgia’s law enforcement and security system.

“Tamaz Borashvili has served in the law enforcement system for more than 20 years. He began his career in the state security system at the lowest level and progressed through various positions in the Counterintelligence Department,” Kobakhidze said.

He added Borashvili served as first deputy head and later head of the General Inspection of the Interior Ministry from 2017 to 2022. He returned to the State Security Service in 2022, serving as head of the Tbilisi Main Division of the State Security Department and later as director of the State Security Department. He was appointed deputy head of the GSSS earlier this year.

Kobakhidze described Borashvili as the first career official from the state security system in the past two decades to be nominated to lead the agency.

“I believe this will play an important role in strengthening the institution,” Kobakhidze said, adding that he was confident Parliament would approve Borashvili’s nomination.

Borashvili said he had served Georgia’s national interests for more than 20 years and described the potential appointment as a “great honour.”

“If Parliament gives me its confidence, I will try to devote myself to protecting our country’s interests with double the energy,” Borashvili said.

He also thanked Geladze for his leadership of the GSSS and wished him success in his new role.

Kobakhidze also confirmed that Geladze, who announced his resignation as GSSS chief earlier on Monday, will become a deputy interior minister.

The prime minister thanked Geladze for his work as both interior minister and head of the State Security Service, crediting him with strengthening state security and combating crime, including organised drug-related and corruption offences.

“Geladze will take the position of deputy interior minister. With his knowledge and experience, he will significantly strengthen the team of the Interior Ministry,” Kobakhidze said.