Emergency Situations management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs received notification from Emergency Response Center according to which fire broke out on the slope of the mountain, located near to Sviri village, Akhaltsikhe. Several minutes later after receiving the report, dozens of firefighters had operatively already arrived at the scene with firefighting technic.

Fire-extinguishing activities are led by the Minister of Internal Affairs –Giorgi Mgebrishvili and head of Emergency Situaations Manageent Agency- Nikoloz Siradze.

More than 100 of firefighters of the Emergency Situations management Agency were involved in the fire-extinguishing activities. Due to the difficult relief, Border Police helicopter and 170 employees of Special Tasks Department were involved in fire liquidation activities.

Fire-rescuers and Border Police helicopter carried out all necessary measures to localize the fire. At this moment the fire is localized and there is no risk of spreading fire. Liquidation activities are currently underway to extinguish particular fire pockets.

A Georgian helicopter /Mi-8/ has crashed today, into the water while filling the reservoir in Borjomi Gorge this morning. All the three crew members have been taken to a hospital in Tbilisi - none of them has been fatally injured.

Fire brigades, rescuers and doctors have been mobilised near the territory.
Interior Minister Giorgi Mgebrishvili also went to familiarize with the situation on the ground; however, he did not yet make any comments over the accident.

A massive forest fire that broke out a week ago in Georgia’s Borjomi Gorge has been extinguished, but the special headquarters that was set up upon the Prime Minister’s order to handle the disaster remains in the gorge to follow the developments.

After a joint meeting earlier this morning, the Ministers of Interior, Defense and Energy studied the situation on the site from helicopters.

Under the initiative of the Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Mgebrishvili, week dedicated to the traffic safety was launched. The opening ceremony was attended by the representatives of non-governmental sector and media representatives.
“Path to West is the choice of our society. This is our choice, which is defined by the respect of law and primarily implies maintenance of the traffic movement rules. Nonetheless, I consider that tackling of this problem will not be reached only with the involvement of the Patrol Police Department, even if law enforcers will make their best efforts. Motivation of our society and caring for each other’s lives also counts as well as willingness to make another thoughtful step towards traffic safety. Decision made by each of us is of utmost importance”-stated Minister of Internal Affairs.
At the event, representatives of Legal Department of MIA acquainted gathered guests with detailed information on the legislative changes regarding traffic safety, which will be enacted on July 1 of the current year.
Head of Public Relations Department Thea Pertaia reviewed the social campaign- “For the sake of you and your safety” and made a presentation on implemented and planned activities in this direction.
At the event, Minister of Internal Affairs awarded active participants and supporters of the social campaign with certificates of gratitude for having high social responsibility. Special certificates were also handed out to journalists, non-governmental and private sector representatives as well as public figures. Within the frames of the week dedicated to the traffic safety, photo contest has been announced by MIA which is open to everyone. Special jury will reveal the owners of the first three places, who will be awarded with a cash prize.

Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Mgebrishvili in connection with sports international day, awarded member of MIA Force club the first Georgian champion in car racing and the official face of the traffic safety program – Data Kajaia with medal for “exceptional merits”
On April 2 Data Kajaia became the winner of the first race of TCR International Series 2017.
“I would like to congratulate everyone with Sports International Day. Ministry of Internal Affairs actively supports development of sports and popularization of healthy lifestyle as one of the ways of crime prevention. Members of MIA Force sports club are European and world champios. With joint efforts we will achieve much success”-stated Giorgi Mgebrishvili. MIA Force sports club unites 16 world champions, 4 champions of Europe and 2 Guinness record breakers.

Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Mgebrishvili along with Minister of Interior of Latvia Rihards Kozlovskis have signed protocol on making amendments to the agreement on “Cooperation in the field of border protection between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Interior of Larvia”. The signing ceremony was held at the president’s palace.
According to the changes cooperation between the countries in the field of border protection will be more enhanced and large-scale. Besides the border protection sphere and patrol police department the agreement also envisages enhancement of the cooperation in migration sphere. The protocol of amendments envisages: exchange of experience on illegal migrants identification, displacement and deportation; treinings for the border guards as well as for other staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Mgebrishvili opened new building of VI police station of Vake-Saburtalo police division, under Tbilisi Police Department.

“Ministry of Internal Affairs starts the new year with novelties. We will continue infrastructure development projects this year. Today we’ve opened new police building in Dighomi village. Once again I wasn’t to wish to all policemen happy New Year and Christmas and to fulfill their duties with success. I believe that the new building will be the additional motivation for the policemen to fulfill their duties effectively”-stated Minister Mgebrishvili.

Old building of VI police station of Vake-Saburtalo police division, under Tbilisi Police Department did not comply with contemporary international standards; therefore construction of the new building was launched.

New police building is equipped with the latest technic and inventory. Infrastructure is adapted for the disabled persons. In the newly constructed building 22 district police inspectors and detective-investigators will be employed.

Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Mgebrishvili held meeting with the ambassador of Bulgaria Desislava Ivanova. At the meeting the sides discussed tight and fruitful cooperation between the two countries. According to the Minister, Georgia has concluded important international agreement in the law enforcement sphere, on the basis of which, cooperation is implemented fruitfully. Minister outlined the importance of “Agreement between Georgia and the Republic of Bulgaria on Cooperation in the Field of Protection from Disasters” which was signed in 2015during the official visit of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Vice Premier of Bulgaria -Rumiana Bachvarova.
Giorgi Mgebrihvili and Desislava Ivanova have discussed plans of future cooperation on the basis of the agreement on operative and strategic cooperation. After enactment of the agreement, Georgia will become operative partner of EUROPOL.
Minister reviewed newly opened department –Joint Operations Center, acquainted ambassador with its functions and assignments.
At the end of the meeting Giorgi Mgebrishvili thanked Desislava Ivanova on behalf of the Ministry for the support and contribution in the EU integration process.

Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has officially opened new holiday resort Mitarbi. The solemn ceremony was attended by the Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Mgebrishvili and other members of the government.
On the new ski track of Miratrbi as well as in all winter holiday resorts, security of the vacationers will be ensured by the MIA unit –Ski patrol.
Specially trained up to 80 patrol police officers with special uniform and equipment will fulfill their duties in winter holiday resorts till the end of the winter season.

“I have made a decision and I am responsible that statistics does not publish- this statement was made by the Interior Affairs Minister. According to Giorgi Mgebrishvili, Interior Ministry law doesn’t oblige to publish statistics.
“The statistic was published in January, 2016. The statistics have been publishing every month but I have decided that I am responsible for that statistic will not publish. There is no regulations and laws for it,”-he said. 

Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Mgebrishvili introduced newly appointed head of the Border Police-Dato Nikolaoshvili to the personnel. Giorgi Mgebrishvii personally congratulated Dato Nikoleishvili with the appointment and discussed Border Police priority directions and tasks. “We create police of the 21^st century. We have rather ambitious plans with regards to the border protection. Herewith, we have a vision how to achieve particular aims. We plan to modernize all spheres of the border police, equip the border with the latest technic in the direction of land border protection, coast guard and aviation in compliance with eastern standards. One of my major goals includes creation of the new system for career development and trainings of the border police officers that will enable us have professional staff at the Border Police. I am deeply convinced that border police will undergo quick development”-stated Minister of Internal Affairs.
Newly appointed head of the Border Police thanked Minister for trusting him. “State border protection is one of the important priorities for the state security. Being appointed on this position is a great responsibility. I will direct my professional experience and energy, to implement the scheduled reforms and to form Border Police as a successful agency, in full compliance of the contemporary standards”-stated Dato Nikoleishvili.