Georgian PM introduces new defense minister, says he will be better than previous
TBILISI. Nov 5 (Interfax) - Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili introduced Mindiy Janelidze as new defense minister on Wednesday.
"This is a worthy candidate, and he will be a better minister than his predecessor. He is a true professional," Garibashvili said.
Before being appointed defense minister, Janelidze served as the chief of the national security and crisis management council. He is a lawyer by profession, graduated from a counterintelligence department of a security institute and holds the rank of colonel. He previously served as the chief of the Georgian Interior Ministry's counterintelligence department.
Janelidze is married and has two children. Besides Georgian, he also speaks Russian, English and Turkish.
Garibashvili announced previous Defense Minister Irakli Alasania's dismissal on Tuesday, citing the latter's attempts to politicize the Defense Ministry's role and refusal to cooperate with prosecutors on three criminal cases against high-ranking ministry officials.
