Opposition Steps up Pressure on Interior Minister

Opposition MPs from the New Rights and Democratic Front demanded that Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili sack Chief of the Department of Constitutional Security Data Akhalaia and to arrest Akhalaia’s deputy Oleg Melnikov for alleged links to the murder of Sandro Girgvliani.

“Vano Merabishvili has about three hours to undertake these steps. If he refuses, the opposition will launch a campaign for Merabishvili’s resignation,” MP Koba Davitashvili, of Democratic Front parliamentary faction, said at a news conference on March 7.

The Interior Minister sacked on March 7 spokesman of the Ministry Guram Donadze, who also was allegedly linked to the high-profile murder. But the official reason for his dismissal was “conflicting relations” with reporters.

Merabishvili met with Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze on March 7, but made no comment after the meeting.

Merabishvili is expected to make a statement at a news conference scheduled for 6 pm local time.