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Nika Gvaramia

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Nika Gvaramia
ნიკა გვარამია
Gvaramia in 2023
Minister of Education and Science
In office
October 27, 2008 – December 7, 2009
PresidentMikheil Saakashvili
Preceded byGhia Nodia
Succeeded byDimitry Shashkin
Minister of Justice of Georgia
In office
January 31, 2008 – October 27, 2008
PresidentMikheil Saakashvili
Preceded byEka Tkeshelashvili
Succeeded byZurab Adeishvili
First Deputy Prosecutor General
In office
March 2007 – January 31, 2008
Member of the Parliament of Georgia
In office
April 22, 2004 – April 5, 2007
Chairman of the Ahali
Incumbent
Assumed office
11 March 2024
Serving with Nika Melia
Preceded byposition established
Personal details
Born (1976-06-29) June 29, 1976 (age 48)
Sukhumi, Georgia SSR, Soviet Union
Political partyAhali (2024–present)
Alma materTbilisi State University
Emory University School of Law

Nika Gvaramia (Georgian: ნიკა გვარამია; born June 29, 1976) is a Georgian lawyer, media entrepreneur, public figure, who had held posts of Minister of Justice and Minister of Education and Science. He was the Director General of Rustavi 2 and Mtavari Arkhi and he's also founder of Mtavari Arkhi, an opposition television network. On March 11, he co-founded the political alliance Ahali (which translates to "new" in Georgian) alongside leading opposition figure Nika Melia, aiming for a significant impact in the 2024 general elections.

In his 2024 op-ed, Gvaramia called for international support to safeguard free and fair elections. He denounces the ruling Georgian Dream party for embracing authoritarianism and aligning with Russia, despite the Georgian population's strong pro-EU and pro-NATO stance. Gvaramia highlighted the importance of Western powers standing with Georgia in its fight for democracy and a future aligned with European institutions.[1]

In November 2023, Gvaramia was awarded the International Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists, for his significant contributions to promoting freedom of speech and democratic ideals. In August 2023, the Ukrainian Parliament awarded Nika Gvaramia a prestigious medal for his service to the Ukrainian people.

Early life

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Gvaramia was born on June 29, 1976, in Sukhumi, currently the de-facto capital of Abkhazia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law from Tbilisi State University and LLM from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He is fluent in English and Russian.

Political career

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Nika Gvaramia is giving a talk in front of students in Tbilisi.

During 2003 elections, Gvaramia was elected to the Georgian Parliament following Georgia's transformative Rose Revolution. He was then appointed First Deputy Prosecutor General of Georgia in March 2007.[2] On January 24, 2008, Gvaramia was nominated and on January 31, appointed Minister of Justice.[3][4][5] He served as the Minister of Justice until October 27, 2008. He was then appointed Minister of Science and Education, the position he quit on December 7, 2009.[6] On 19 December 2012, the investigations department of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia announced that Nika Gvaramia was arrested due to alleged corruption.[7] But, he was released soon after due to lack of proof.[8]

Gvaramia giving interview during pro-EU demonstrations in Georgia.

On May 16, 2022, Gvaramia was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison on charges of abuse of power and embezzlement while serving as director of another broadcaster, he was also ordered to pay a fine of 50,000 Lari (US$16,670).[9] The conviction was upheld by the Tbilisi Court of Appeals in November 2022.

Institutions like the European Parliament and the U.S. State Department widely recognized the case as politically motivated. Amnesty International called Gvaramia's imprisonment "a politically motivated silencing of dissenting voice." In light of public pressure and international outcry, on 22 June, 2023, Gvaramia was pardoned by Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili.[10]

On March 11, 2024, Nika Gvaramia and Nika Melia, former Chair of the United National Movement, announced the formation of the new political party "Ahali."

Gvaramia highlighted their focus on the future, stating, "Our objective is centered on contributing to changes in Georgia .... Directly aiming for the future, without dwelling on the past." Melia echoed this perspective, promoting a forward-looking approach and calling for unity to accomplish future goals. The co-founders also shared their plan to co-chair the party.[citation needed]

On December 4, 2024, amid protests against delaying negotiations to join the European Union, Gvaramia was arrested in a police raid on his office in Tbilisi.[11]

Personal life

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Gvaramia is married and has three children.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Gvaramia, Nika (September 17, 2024). "The West must stand with Georgia in the fight for democracy".
  2. ^ "Messenger Online. Cabinet Profiles". Retrieved 2011-04-25.
  3. ^ "Ministry of Justice of Georgia. Nika Gvaramia - 2008/01/31 - 2008/10/27". Archived from the original on 2011-08-17. Retrieved 2011-04-25.
  4. ^ "Cabinet Wins Confidence Vote". Civil Georgia. 2008-01-31. Retrieved 2011-04-25.
  5. ^ "New Cabinet Named". Civil Georgia. 2008-01-24. Retrieved 2011-04-25.
  6. ^ "The carousel starts its turn as education minister quits". Georgian International Media Centre. 2009-12-07. Retrieved 2011-04-25.
  7. ^ civil.ge - Ex-minister arrested
  8. ^ "Გვარამია, ხეთაგური და სხვები გირაოთი გაათავისუფლეს". 22 December 2012.
  9. ^ "Georgian pro-opposition journalist Nika Gvaramia sentenced to 3.5 years in prison". 20 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Georgian President pardons Nika Gvaramia". 23 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Opposition party leader arrested as Georgia authorities try to curb protests over ending EU talks". AP News. 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  12. ^ Director, Lucy Westcott/CPJ Emergencies (2023-07-18). "In Georgia, poetry, a prison visit, and a pardon for Nika Gvaramia". Committee to Protect Journalists. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
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