PM Denies Speculations on Cabinet Reshuffle
Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli has denied speculations on possible resignation of Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili over high-profile murder scandal.
“No changes in cabinet are planned,” he told reporters on March 14.
The Georgian media speculated on March 14, that Sandro Girgvliani murder case could topple Minister Merabishvili and alleged that either General Prosecutor Zurab Adeishvili or Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Defense and Security Givi Targamadze could replace Merabishvili.
But influential parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party, including MP Targamadze himself also denied these speculations.
“I have heard nothing about it,” MP Targamadze said.
“Vano Merabishvili is the Minister who enjoys with the strongest political support of the parliamentary majority,” MP Giga Bokeria told Mze television on March 14.
Meanwhile, human rights groups, including Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, Former Political Prisoners for Human Rights, held a press conference on March 14 and demanded resignation of Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili.
Human rights groups, joined by opposition parties will hold a protest rally outside the Interior Ministry on March 17.
Opposition New Rights, Conservative, Labor, Republican, Freedom, Georgia’s Way (led by ex-Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili) will put forward three demands at the rally: prosecution of alleged masterminds of the Sandro Girgvliani murder; resignation of Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili and caring out unbiased investigation of the case.
