President Saakashvili hailed Vano Merabishvili on March 1 as a “good” Interior Minister. Saakashvili’s comment comes after the opposition called for Merabishvili’s resignation, following the latter's testimony to the Parliament on February 28 over the investigation into the Sandro Girgvliani murder case.

“Merabishvili is an especially good Minister. We should understand that this is a Ministry and a team, which has investigated difficult terrorist acts, which has carried out serious and very difficult operations, which has investigated the most difficult murder and kidnapping cases and which, I am sure - absolutely sure - will investigate all the grave crimes and punish all those who are guilty. He [Vano Merabishvili] has the staff for this, he has the will for this. The most important thing is that in Georgia we have established a fair government, where there are no untouchables, where no one is able to hide from justice,” President Saakashvili told reporters.