Mirab Kishmaria


Mirab Boris-ipa Kishmaria is the current Minister of Defence of the Republic of Abkhazia, which enjoys only limited recognition internationally.

Early life and career

Mirab Kishmaria was born 3 August 1961 in Ochamchire in what was then the Abkhazian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1984 he graduated from the Alma-Ata Higher Combined Arms Command School. From June 1987 until February 1989 Kishmaria fought with the 40th division of the Soviet army in Afghanistan. During the 1992-1993 War in Abkhazia, Kishmaria was commander of the eastern front of the Abkhazian army, in the Ochamchire district.

Political career

In 2002, Kishmaria became co-Chairman of veterans socio-political movement Amtsakhara, together with Vladimir Nachach.
On 22 March 2005 Mirab Kishmaria was appointed First Deputy Minister of Defence. After Sultan Sosnaliyev resigned as Defence Minister on 8 May 2007, Kishmaria became acting Minister of Defence on 10 May. He was appointed permanently to the post on 26 June.

Family

Mirab Kishmaria is married to a Georgian wife, they have 11 children. Out of these, seven fought in the 1992-1993 war with Georgia, and two died therein.