Newly appointed Georgian State Security Service Head vows to tackle major challenges

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the newly appointed Head of Georgia’s State Security Service, on Wednesday said that the country's Russian-occupied territories presented a unique and significant challenge for the security services.

In his remarks, Mdinaradze noted that the State Security Service would face many tasks, with combating the consequences of the occupation being one of its main priorities.

“The challenge that gives our security services a particularly unique character is that up to 20 percent of Georgia’s territory is occupied. This is the greatest challenge. If, during the period I lead this Service, the ice that must gradually move indeed begins to shift - as many understand it eventually will - and this ultimately brings about the reunification of the country, naturally, there will be no person happier than me”, he said.

“Occupation is among the key challenges we must overcome. This service will have a great deal of work to do in this direction. Fighting the consequences of occupation will be a top priority - and not only in the anti-corruption area. There are numerous directions, challenges whose resolution is directly tied to strengthening the state. And I can say with confidence, even from the perspective of tomorrow, that discussing this is realistic”, Mdinaradze concluded.