Irakli Okruashvili

Irakli Okruashvili, born on November 6, 1973, is a prominent Georgian politician and lawyer known for his significant roles in the Government of Georgia during the presidency of Mikheil Saakashvili. He served as the Minister of Defense from December 2004 until his dismissal in November 2006, marking a critical period in Georgian politics.

In September 2007, Okruashvili made a notable return to the political arena, openly challenging Saakashvili and founding the opposition party Movement for United Georgia. His political activities led to his brief arrest on September 27, 2007, on charges including corruption and abuse of office. Following these events, he left Georgia and was granted political asylum in France, where he was sentenced to an eleven-year prison term in absentia in March 2008.

While in France, Okruashvili continued his political journey by joining forces with notable figures like Sozar Subari and Levan Gachechiladze to establish a new Georgian Party in October 2010. His political struggles did not end there; in June 2019, he was sentenced to five years in prison for his involvement in group violence during anti-government protests. However, he received a presidential pardon from Salome Zourabichvili on May 15, 2020, alongside fellow politician Gigi Ugulava.

In a remarkable turn of events, on March 8, 2022, Okruashvili arrived in Ukraine with a group of Georgian volunteers to participate in the fight against the Russian invasion, showcasing his enduring commitment to his country and its sovereignty.