Ruling party official linked with anti-Western faction appointed to key financial post

Dachi Beraia, a former Deputy Minister of Justice under the ruling Georgian Dream party and a figure linked with the anti-Western People’s Power faction, has been appointed as the Head of the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance.

The decision, issued by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday, came upon the nomination of Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili, the Financial Police announced on Thursday.

Beraia had served as Deputy Minister of Justice since January 13, 2025. His political career includes two terms as a member of parliament from 2016 to 2024, and he was also an MP in the parliament formed after the disputed 2024 elections.

His appointment follows the announcement that Anri Okhanashvili, a longtime Georgian Dream member and supporter of the controversial Agents Law, will be nominated to lead the State Security Service.

Beraias has been affiliated with Georgian Dream since 2016 but joined the anti-Western People’s Power party in 2022.

Beraia’s professional background includes a career in banking, beginning in 2001 at the United Georgian Bank. He later joined Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Cartu Bank, where he held various roles until 2016, eventually becoming Director of the Centralized Administration Department. He holds a degree in economics from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University.