Paper: Murder Scandal Might Topple Interior Minister

Georgian daily Rezonansi alleged on March 14 that suspension of top-level Interior Ministry officials from the office over murder scandal might grow into a resignation of Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili.

Data Akhalaia, chief of Department for Constitutional Security (DCS) and Vasil Sanodze, chief of the general inspection of the Interior Ministry, announced at a news conference that they have nothing to do with Sandro Girgvliani murder case, but decided to resign pending investigation as they have a sense of “moral responsibility.” Oleg Melnikov, an employee of the same department was also suspended from the office.

“In case of resignation, Vano Merabishvili, who has become a target of harsh criticism because of this “honorable” employees, will most likely become Secretary of National Security Council. But it definitely will not be a promotion for Merabishvili, especially after the National Security Council’s powers have been significantly reduced,” the Rezonansi says.

The paper also notes that that the Interior Ministry officials’ decision to suspend from the office came after a tough-worded statement by Public Defender Sozar Subari, who slammed the Interior Ministry. The Rezonansi supposes that Subari, who “has not been distinguished by his active actions so far,” has decided to slam the Interior Ministry following the silent nod from President Mikheil Saakashvili.