Justice Minister Sacked

President Saakashvili announced on December 22 that he has dismissed Justice Minister Kote Kemularia and chief of the penitentiary system Shota Kopadze.

Saakashvili also said, while speaking at the session of the National Security Council, that Chairman of the Central Election Commission Gia Kavtaradze will replace Kemularia on the Justice Minister?s position.

Kemularia will be appointed as Secretary of National Security Council. The position was vacant after Gela Bezhuashvili was appointed as new Foreign Minister on October 20.

The President also said that Bacho Akhalaia, deputy public defender, will be appointed as the new chief of the penitentiary system.