Hardline Georgian MP named security chief as warnings of autocracy grow

A Georgian MP who accused the west of a "policy of blackmail and threats" has been appointed to lead the country's security services as an authoritative report warns of an autocratic takeover.

- Daniel Boffey

Mamuka Mdinaradze, who was the parliamentary majority leader for the ruling Georgian Dream party, has previously attacked the EU and the US for criticising the Georgian government over democratic backsliding.

Mdinaradze was responsible for introducing a "successor parties bill" in parliament to target opposition groups said to be hostile to the ruling party. The law aims to ban movements "whose activities, the personal composition of decision-makers, or statutory goals" are identical to those of the previous governing party, the United National Movement.

Mdinaradze has described the UNM as "anti-Georgian, anti-constitutional, anti-national and criminal".