Roman Kartsivadze will replace Zviad Kharazishvili (“Khareba”) as Director of the Special Tasks Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry has announced.
“Another change in the Ministry of Internal Affairs concerns the Special Tasks Department: Roman Kartsivadze has been appointed as the Director of the said department,” the statement reads.
Kharazishvili was implicated in misconduct during anti-government protests earlier this year, with allegations that he directly oversaw riot police in the detention and assault of government critics at the rallies. These claims led to sanctions against both Kharazishvili and his deputy, Mileri Lagazauri, imposed by the US Department of State last month. On 16 September, the Department also announced visa restrictions targeting over 60 unnamed individuals, including senior government and municipal officials, business leaders, and their family members.
Among those alleging police abuse during demonstrations against the controversial foreign agent law were opposition figures such as Levan Khabeishvili, then-chair of the largest opposition party, the United National Movement; nationalist and anti-Russian activist Davit Katsarava; and Aleko Elisashvili, chair of the Citizens party.
