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Irakliy OkruashviliGeorgian politician
Date of Birth: 06.11.1973
Country:  Georgia |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Career in Law and Politics
- Governmental Roles
- Break with Saakashvili and Opposition
- Arrest and Trial
Early Life and Education
Irakli Okruashvili was born on November 6, 1973 in Tskhinvali, South Ossetia. In 1995, he graduated from the Tbilisi State University's Faculty of International Law and International Relations.
Career in Law and Politics
From 1996 to 1998, Okruashvili worked as a lawyer and partner at the law firm "Kordzadze, Svanidze and Okruashvili". In 1999, he established and led the law firm "Okruashvili and Partners". Simultaneously, from 1999 to 2000, he lectured on international trade law at Tbilisi State University.
In December 2000, Okruashvili became Deputy Minister of Justice of Georgia under the leadership of Mikhail Saakashvili. From June 2002, he served as a member of the Tbilisi City Council. In 2003, he participated in the "Rose Revolution" and was elected to the Georgian Parliament in November of that year.
Governmental Roles
From January 2004, Okruashvili served as Prosecutor General of Georgia. In June, he became Minister of Internal Affairs and in December, Minister of Defense. In April 2006, he was appointed Special Representative of the President of Georgia for the promotion of Georgian wine. He led an operation in the Kodori Gorge, which resulted in Georgia establishing state control.
On November 10, 2006, Okruashvili left the Ministry of Defense to head the Ministry of Economic Development. He resigned from this position on November 17.
Break with Saakashvili and Opposition
On September 25, 2007, Okruashvili announced the creation of the opposition party "For United Georgia". He publicly accused Saakashvili of plotting and executing various crimes, including political murders. Okruashvili also alleged that former Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania had been murdered, not killed by carbon monoxide poisoning.
On September 27, Okruashvili was detained and charged with extortion and negligence. After initially pleading guilty, he was released on bail. He fled the country on November 6 and reiterated his accusations against Saakashvili.
Arrest and Trial
Okruashvili was arrested in Berlin on November 27. He was extradited to France, which had issued his Schengen visa. Okruashvili was eventually sentenced in absentia to 11 years in prison for extortion by a Tbilisi court on March 28, 2008.
