Ministry of Internal Affairs (Georgia)
Encyclopedia
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (MIA) is a state law enforcement agency of the Republic of Georgia.
As of 2011 Vano Merabishvili
is the minister. It is divided in several sub branches, such as the Counter Intelligence Department, the Counter Terror Center, the Special Operative Department (SOD), the Constitutional Security Department (KUD), the Special Tasks Main Division, the General Inspections Bureau, the Criminal Police Department, the Security Police, the Border Police and the Police Academy.
The Special Tasks Main Division supports regional police forces with special units and performs various tasks to protect public order. It is the largest formation of the branch. The Special Operations Department is divided into several sub divisions, which conduct anti-terrorist and anti-criminal operations with special weapons and tactics. In addition to that, a small Special Forces unit is maintained by the ministry’s Constitutional Security Department, which protects the state from the activities of radical/extremist-minded groups and organizations.
The Counter Terror Center provides elite Special Forces groups which conduct internal and external operations to prevent terrorist activities or other similar threats against humanity, inside and abroad the Republic of Georgia. Authorized strength is secret, operators are picked from MIA and Military Special Forces.
The Centre implements the following measures:
In 2005, Vladimir Arutyunian attempted to assassinate US President George W. Bush
during his visit in Georgia. After the failed grenade throw at the speech of both presidents, he was caught by Commandos of the Counter Terrorist Center two months later. During the operation Arutyunian was seriously injured while killing Georgia's head of the Counterintelligence Department.
The structures intensively cooperate with the UN, OSCE, NATO and other international services in the sphere of sharing information concerning terrorism and legislative issues.
Internal Forces were heavily engaged during the 2008 South Ossetia War
, losing several police officers with many injured, being directly involved in the Georgian assault on the city of Tskhinvali
. MIA units were transported with Otokar Cobra
armoured vehicles and Landrover pickups to the scene. After President Saakashvili's announcement of bilateral ceasefire, MIA Special Forces were the only units maintaining their positions close to Russian forces, while the Georgian Army completely withdrew from the conflict zone. Other vehicles in use, are the Wolf Armoured Vehicle
and the Nurol Ejder
APC.
Special Forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia are equipped with various weapons and systems for conventional and nonconventional warfare in different circumstances and environments. These include latest communication and surveillance systems, detection and engagement systems, as well as latest individual tactical gear. Firearms in use since development are the following:
As of 2011 Vano Merabishvili
Vano Merabishvili
Ivane Merabishvili is a Georgian politician who has served as the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs since December 18, 2004...
is the minister. It is divided in several sub branches, such as the Counter Intelligence Department, the Counter Terror Center, the Special Operative Department (SOD), the Constitutional Security Department (KUD), the Special Tasks Main Division, the General Inspections Bureau, the Criminal Police Department, the Security Police, the Border Police and the Police Academy.
The Special Tasks Main Division supports regional police forces with special units and performs various tasks to protect public order. It is the largest formation of the branch. The Special Operations Department is divided into several sub divisions, which conduct anti-terrorist and anti-criminal operations with special weapons and tactics. In addition to that, a small Special Forces unit is maintained by the ministry’s Constitutional Security Department, which protects the state from the activities of radical/extremist-minded groups and organizations.
The Counter Terror Center provides elite Special Forces groups which conduct internal and external operations to prevent terrorist activities or other similar threats against humanity, inside and abroad the Republic of Georgia. Authorized strength is secret, operators are picked from MIA and Military Special Forces.
The Centre implements the following measures:
- Obtains preliminary information on possible terrorist act against the President of Georgia, other officials or members of their family, physical persons or legal entities under international protection;
- Reveals and prevents politically motivated terrorist activities or threats against human freedom;
- Reveals and prevents terrorist acts against state strategic, political or economic interests of Georgia;
- Reveals illegally armed groups and terrorist organizations in the territory of Georgia and prevents their activities;
- Reveals and prevents facts concerning preparation of terrorist acts, international terrorism and illegal immigration;
- Checks possible contacts and assistance by foreign citizens entered the territory of Georgia to terrorist organizations within its competence;
- Obtains preliminary information on illegal acquirement of nuclear, radioactive, chemical or bacteriological weapons or any other substance harmful to human health, as well as misappropriation of strategic and special important facilities with terrorist purpose
In 2005, Vladimir Arutyunian attempted to assassinate US President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
during his visit in Georgia. After the failed grenade throw at the speech of both presidents, he was caught by Commandos of the Counter Terrorist Center two months later. During the operation Arutyunian was seriously injured while killing Georgia's head of the Counterintelligence Department.
The structures intensively cooperate with the UN, OSCE, NATO and other international services in the sphere of sharing information concerning terrorism and legislative issues.
Internal Forces were heavily engaged during the 2008 South Ossetia War
2008 South Ossetia war
The 2008 South Ossetia War or Russo-Georgian War was an armed conflict in August 2008 between Georgia on one side, and Russia and separatist governments of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the other....
, losing several police officers with many injured, being directly involved in the Georgian assault on the city of Tskhinvali
Tskhinvali
Tskhinvali , is the capital of South Ossetia, a disputed region which has been recognised as an independent Republic by Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Nauru, and is regarded by Georgia and the rest of the world as part of the Shida Kartli region within Georgian sovereign territory.It is located...
. MIA units were transported with Otokar Cobra
Otokar Cobra
The Cobra is a wheeled armoured vehicle developed by Turkish firm Otokar, using some components from the American HMMWV. It was first delivered to the Turkish Army in 1997 and most recently, won a contract from a buyer for APV and 4X4 unarmored tactical vehicles.-Survivability:The monocoque steel...
armoured vehicles and Landrover pickups to the scene. After President Saakashvili's announcement of bilateral ceasefire, MIA Special Forces were the only units maintaining their positions close to Russian forces, while the Georgian Army completely withdrew from the conflict zone. Other vehicles in use, are the Wolf Armoured Vehicle
Wolf Armoured Vehicle
The Wolf Armoured Vehicle is an armoured transport vehicle, used mainly by the Israeli Defence Force. It was created to provide a better handling and better protected armoured vehicle than the M113 . The Wolf is a heavily armoured crew carrier, manufactured by the Hatehof company...
and the Nurol Ejder
Nurol Ejder
Ejder is a 6x6 wheeled armoured personnel carrier designed in Turkey. It began as a private venture in 2006 but proceeded quickly with 27 units delivered to Georgia in 2007.-Description:...
APC.
Special Forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia are equipped with various weapons and systems for conventional and nonconventional warfare in different circumstances and environments. These include latest communication and surveillance systems, detection and engagement systems, as well as latest individual tactical gear. Firearms in use since development are the following:
- M4A1M4 carbineThe M4 carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 designed by Eugene Stoner and made by ArmaLite. It is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle, with 80% parts commonality.It is a gas-operated,...
- Heckler & Koch G36Heckler & Koch G36The Heckler & Koch G36 is a 5.56×45mm assault rifle, designed in the early 1990s by Heckler & Koch in Germany as a replacement for the 7.62mm G3 battle rifle. It was accepted into service with the Bundeswehr in 1997, replacing the G3...
- Bushmaster M4 Type Carbine
- FN SCARFN SCARThe Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle, or SCAR, is a modular rifle made by FN Herstal for the United States Special Operations Command to satisfy the requirements of the SCAR competition. This family of rifles consist of two main types...
- IMI Galil MAR
- TAR-21
- GTAR-21
- MTAR-21
- STAR-21
- CTAR-21
- Heckler & Koch MP5Heckler & Koch MP5The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a 9mm submachine gun of German design, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar....
- Heckler & Koch UMPHeckler & Koch UMPThe UMP is a submachine gun developed and manufactured by Heckler & Koch. The UMP has been adopted by various agencies such as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection...
- Škorpion vz. 61
- AS ValAS ValThe AS "Val" is a Soviet designed assault rifle featuring an integrated suppressor....
- used only by the SOD - Heckler & Koch SL8
- M24 Sniper Weapon System
- M40 rifle
- AIAW Sniper RifleAccuracy International Arctic WarfareThe Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a family of bolt-action sniper rifles designed and manufactured by the British company Accuracy International...
- Barrett M82A1
- Nemesis RifleOM 50 NemesisThe OM 50 Nemesis is a bolt action sniper rifle made by Swiss manufacturer AMSD. It was created in early 21st century. It fires the .50 BMG bullet.-External links:**...
- Barrett M95Barrett M95The Barrett M95 is a bolt-action sniper rifle chambered in .50 BMG , and manufactured by Barrett Firearms Company.-Overview:The M95 is an improved version of the earlier Barrett M90. It is a bolt-action sniper rifle in a bullpup design...
- used only by the SOD