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Khatia DekanoidzeGeorgian and Ukrainian statesman and political figure
Date of Birth: 20.01.1977
Country:  Georgia |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Public Service in Georgia
- Ministry of Education and Science (2012)
- Public Service in Ukraine
- National Police Chief (2015-2016)
- Political Activities
- Return to Georgian Politics (2017)
- Personal Life and Family
Early Life and Education
Khatia Dekanoidzewas born on January 20, 1977 in Tbilisi, Georgia. She obtained a degree in "International Relations" from Tbilisi State University in 1999.
Public Service in Georgia
Police Academy (2007-2012)In May 2007, Dekanoidze became the Rector of the Police Academy of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs. She held this position until May 2012, playing a crucial role in reforming the Georgian police force.
Ministry of Education and Science (2012)
Dekanoidze transitioned to the Ministry of Education and Science in May 2012 as the Director of the National Examination Center. In July 2012, she was appointed Minister of Education and Science, serving until the resignation of the Merabishvili government in October 2012 following the defeat of the United National Movement in parliamentary elections.
Public Service in Ukraine
CAPS (2014)Towards the end of 2014, Dekanoidze established the Civil and Political School (CAPS) in Kyiv to transfer Georgian reform experiences and train Ukrainian leadership.
National Police Chief (2015-2016)
In 2015, Dekanoidze became an advisor to Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov. On November 4, she was appointed as the head of the National Police of Ukraine by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Under her leadership, Dekanoidze initiated and implemented a re-certification process for police officers. She overhauled approximately 80% of the police command structure in Kyiv and made significant changes in the Kyiv region.
On November 14, 2016, Dekanoidze announced her resignation, citing the completion of key reform objectives and a lack of sufficient authority to implement further necessary changes. The Cabinet of Ministers subsequently dismissed her from her position on November 16.
Political Activities
Gamgebeli Candidacy (2014)During the 2014 local elections in Georgia, Dekanoidze ran for the position of Gamgebeli (legislative head of local government) in the Kvareli municipality of Kakheti. She lost in the second round to the Georgian Dream candidate.
Return to Georgian Politics (2017)
After leaving her post in Ukraine, Dekanoidze returned to Georgian politics. In May 2017, she was reinstated as a Georgian citizen by presidential decree.
In 2020, she was elected to the Georgian Parliament as a member of the United National Movement-led "Power in Unity" coalition.
Personal Life and Family
Dekanoidze is divorced and has one son, Tornike Kopaleishvili. Due to her work in Ukraine, she rarely saw him. She maintains close friendships with former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and his brother, Davit.
In March 2017, Tornike was arrested for alleged drug possession. Dekanoidze stated that her son was not a bargaining chip. He later pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with the prosecution, resulting in a suspended sentence.
