Education
Akhalaia graduated from the Tbilisi State University with a degree in Law in 2003.
Akhalaia graduated from the Tbilisi State University with a degree in Law in 2003.
He had previously served as Head of Penitentiary Department of Ministry of Justice of Georgia (2005–2008) and (August 27, 2009–July 4, 2012). On September 20, 2012, amid protests against torture and rapes in Georgian prisons, the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced Akhalaia had resigned from office. From 2003 to 2004, he worked for the non-governmental organization Liberty Institute, known for his role in protests that led to the Rose Revolution in Georgia in November 2003.
From 2004 to 2005, Akhalaia served as deputy Public Defender (Ombudsman) under his fellow Liberty Institute activist Sozar Subari.
In 2005, Akhalaia was moved to the post of Head of Penitentiary Department of Ministry of Justice of Georgia. In this capacity he led a struggle against the established system of "thieves in law" which ruled prisons in the post-Soviet country, but he was a frequent target of criticism by the opposition, some human rights groups and Public Defender Subari.
In particular, he was accused of heavy-handed crackdown on Georgia"s largest prison riot in 2006, in which 7 inmates died. In December 2008, in the aftermath of the August 2008 war with Russia, Akhalaia was appointed deputy The Georgian media ran stories about Akhalaia"s alleged tensions with then-Minister Vasil Sikharulidze and Chief of Joint Staff Vladimer Chachibaia.
On August 27, 2009, Akhalaia replaced Sikharulidze as The Georgian opposition subjeted the decision to harsh criticism.
WikiLeaks
According to the Wikileaks cables, the United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization diplomats also expressed concerns over Akhalaia"s appointment as "noting his poor human rights record" during his service as the chief of penitentiary service. However, in the October 10, 2009 confidential cable sent to Alexander Vershbow, the United States. Assistant Secretary of Defense, ahead of his visit to Georgia, the United States. embassy in Tbilisi described Akhalaia as "the most active Defense Minister in terms of seeking advice" from the United States. defense advisers and "then following through with lieutenant" He was further noted for being, unlike his predecessor, "unafraid to make decisions" and "genuinely interested in making reforms designed to make the Global Assessment of Functioning better."
On July 4, 2012, Akhalaia was appointed, succeeding on this position Ivane Merabishvili, who became Prime Minister in an important cabinet reshuffle months before the scheduled parliamentary election.