President Mikheil Saakashvili has appointed a former Interior Ministry official, Tengiz Gunava, as governor of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti (Western Georgia).
Two criminal cases were initiated against Gunava in the autumn of 2012. On November 16, 2012 he was arrested on charges of illegal possession of drugs and firearms, and then released on bail of 10,000 laris (about $6000). On November 30 Gunava was arrested again - this time on charges of abuse of office and embezzlement of public funds. He was then again released on bail.
Saakashvili noted successful development of the region as a result of the work of Gunava there in the past in the field of fighting illegal drug trafficking and other problems. He also called him a "hero of the War of 2008."
Saakashvili appoints ex-official under criminal investigation as governor of Western Georgia
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