3 Aug 2016 18:15

Georgia's new defense minister appoints State Security Service, Interior Ministry officials his deputies

TBILISI. Aug 3 (Interfax) - Georgian Defense Minister Levan Izoria, who took office on Tuesday, told a briefing on Wednesday about the appointment of his two new deputies.

Lela Chikovani, who was head of the administration of the Georgian State Security Service, has been appointed first deputy defense minister. Nukri Gelashvili headed the Georgian Interior Ministry's police academy before this appointment.

"I have made a decision to appoint new deputies on the basis of the people's contribution to the reforms. Both my new deputies are directly related to the implementation of the most important reforms in Georgia," the minister said.

Before becoming defense minister, Izoria was deputy head of the State Security Service.