Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Minister of Regional Development, has announced his resignation and said he is leaving politics, following the week of controversial letters from imprisoned former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, in which Mdinaradze was named. He made the announcement at a briefing at the Government Administration.
“I have decided to leave my position and, essentially, politics as well. Without going into too much detail on this matter, I can tell you that the 10 years I spent in politics were 10 years of hard work, dedication to my country, and doing important work for the country together with my friends,” Mdinaradze said.
Mdinaradze thanked every “soldier” of the Georgian Dream party, as well as the party’s leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
“Of course, I would like to thank my family, to whom I want to devote more attention. I will also tell you honestly that when you are fully involved in politics for 10 years, and this is not a position with relatively less responsibility but one with maximum responsibility, it is extremely difficult and not an easy thing. I want you to appreciate everyone who stands on the front line of this struggle. It is extremely difficult when this level of responsibility and involvement is shouldered by people,” Mdinaradze said.
According to Mdinaradze, he spoke with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze last night and with the honorary chairman of the party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, this morning.
“If I had thought, for example, that there was no one else in this team who could take care of the regions apart from me, I certainly would not have made this decision,” Mdinaradze said.
Mdinaradze has been mentioned in the controversial letters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. In his second letter, Garibashvili claimed that the letter sent to him, allegedly containing blackmail and demanding that he admit to corruption charges, was sent by Mdinaradze. In his first letter, however, he said the letter had been sent in the name of Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Asked whether his resignation was connected to the letters, Mdinaradze denied ever sending such a letter to anyone, let alone Garibashvili:
“Do you know what is written in the letter? Have you read the letter? I mean, I would have had to speak from the position of his supporter, right? If that letter had been mine, let’s follow the logic: I now have the freedom to speak openly, and the letter is written from the position of his supporter, right? So how could it possibly have been written by Mamuka Mdinaradze? Where is the logic? Tell me. Was Mamuka Mdinaradze writing, ‘Let’s fight to the end’? Are you seriously looking at this issue? I am telling you directly: “I have never been involved in anything like this, and I have certainly never sent a letter to anyone in my life — if we don’t count a short message. No letter whatsoever,” Mdinaradze said.
When asked why did Garibashvili name him specifically Mdinaradze replied that Garibashvili himself should be asked this question.
“I don’t know. You should ask him. How would I know why he is talking about me?” Mdinaradze said.
After holding three different positions over the past year, Mamuka Mdinaradze has now left politics. Notably, he resigned without having spent even a month in his latest position as Minister of Regional Development. He also did not live to see the creation of yet another position specifically intended for him — State Minister for Regional Policy — which was due to be established in September.
Mdinaradze’s positions over the past year
On September 3, 2025, Mamuka Mdinaradze was appointed head of the State Security Service.
On April 30, 2026, he took up a newly created position as State Minister for Coordination of Law Enforcement Agencies. At the same time, he also served as Deputy Prime Minister.
On July 29, 2026, it became known that yet another new position was being created for Mdinaradze, that of State Minister for Regional Policy, starting in September. Before that position could be established, however, he headed the Ministry of Regional Development for less than a month.
Ranks awarded to Mamuka Mdinaradze over the past year
- On September 3, 2025, Mdinaradze was awarded the rank of Lieutenant of State Security.
- On October 23, 2025, he was promoted to Senior Lieutenant.
- On December 25, 2025, he was awarded the rank of Captain of State Security, and the following day, December 26, he was promoted to Major of State Security.
- On April 21, 2026, Mdinaradze became a Major General of State Security.