Georgian MP who accused west of ‘blackmail’ appointed security chief as report warns of autocratic takeover

Mamuka Mdinaradze makes a speech in Georgia’s parliament. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

A Georgian Dream MP who criticised the west over a “policy of blackmail and threats” has been appointed to lead the country’s security services as an authoritative report warned of an autocratic takeover.

Mamuka Mdinaradze, who was the parliamentary majority leader for the ruling party, was confirmed on Wednesday as head of the country’s powerful state security service.