**New Tbilisi Police Chief Appointed Amid Controversy**
In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, Roland Meskhi has been named as the First Deputy of Vakhtang Gomelauri, Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs and Vice Prime Minister. The appointment was announced by the Ministry on April 24.
Meskhi, a seasoned law enforcement officer with 20 years of experience, has held various positions within the ministry in recent years. Since July 2021, he has served as Deputy Director of the Tbilisi Police Department. His new role makes him responsible for overseeing the city’s police force.
However, Meskhi’s appointment comes at a time when he is facing controversy over his alleged involvement in the use of excessive force against protesters on April 21. Video footage circulating on social media shows police officers attempting to disperse demonstrators from Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, with Meskhi appearing to pull a young female activist’s hair. The incident has been widely condemned by activists and civil society groups.
This appointment is particularly surprising given that the previous First Deputy, Shalva Bedoidze, was recently sanctioned by the United Kingdom and Baltic states for his alleged involvement in human rights abuses and police brutality against pro-EU demonstrators. Moreover, GD Minister Gomelauri himself is currently under sanctions by several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and the Baltic countries.
**Deeper Analysis**
The appointment of Meskhi as First Deputy raises serious concerns about the Georgian government’s commitment to upholding human rights and protecting citizens from police brutality. The controversy surrounding his involvement in the use of excessive force against protesters has sparked widespread outrage among civil society groups and activists.
It is worth noting that this incident is not an isolated case. Georgia has been grappling with issues of police violence and impunity for many years. The recent sanctions imposed on Minister Gomelauri and other officials are a testament to these concerns.
The appointment of Meskhi as First Deputy sends the wrong signal, especially considering his alleged involvement in human rights abuses. It suggests that the government is not taking concrete steps to address these issues or ensure accountability within the ministry.
**What’s Next?**
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the international community will react to Meskhi’s appointment. Will they impose further sanctions on Georgia, or will the country take concrete steps to reform its law enforcement agencies and hold those responsible for human rights abuses accountable?
The Georgian government must take a more proactive approach to addressing these concerns and demonstrate its commitment to protecting human rights and upholding the rule of law.
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