Saakashvili Wants New Chief Prosecutor, Vows to Crackdown on Criminals

President-elect Mikheil Saakashvili today nominated governor of the Shida Kartli region Irakli Okruashvili for the post of Prosecutor General.

“I will propose Okruashvili to Interim President Nino Burjanadze and she will propose his candidacy to the Parliament for approval in the nearest days. I hope Irakli Okruashvili will crackdown on criminals and fight corruption. He is energetic and honest,” Saakashvili said at a news briefing on January 12.

Irakli Okruashvili, who also attended the briefing, said much is still to be done to maintain order in the country.

Irakli Okruashvili, who is the member of the National Movement party, led by Mikheil Saakashvili, was appointed as governor of Shida Kartli region after the bloodless revolution. He became in the focus of the public attention with the crackdown on criminals in the region.

Former Prosecutor Nugzar Gabrichidze has already filed resignation.

At a news briefing Mikheil Saakashvili vowed to take a tough line against the criminals. “We know that a riot is being prepared in prisons in support of criminal bosses,” Saakashvili said.

“We will shoot down the rioters. We will not spare bullets against them,” he added.

“I know that the criminal world will resist. But we are not afraid,” Saakashvili told the press conference.