Date and Place of Birth: 9 September 1952; Abkhazia, Georgia

Education: Department of Economics, Moscow Institute of Food Industry

Work Experience:

1974-1975 – Economist, Regional Water Suppliers’ Union, Gali District
 
1976-1984 – Head of Abkhazian Youth District and Regional Organization

1984-1990 – Head of Administration, Executive Authority, Gali District

1990-1993 – Chairman of Legal Committee and First Deputy Chairman of Supreme Council, Abkhazian Autonomous Republic

1993-1995 – First Deputy Chairman, Government of Abkhazian Autonomous Republic; Head of Gali District Administration (in internal displacement) 

Since 1987 – Member, Supreme Council of Abkhazian Autonomous Republic

1992-2004 – Member of Georgian Parliament

1995-2004 – First Deputy Speaker of Georgian Parliament

1996-2003 – Head of Georgian Delegation, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

1997-2003 – Head of The Parliamentary Group of Friendship with Armenia

2000-2002 – Head of Georgian Parliamentary Group in CIS Parliamentary Assembly

Head of Research Center at Caucasian Regional Security Institute and member of Executive Board at Caucasian Dialogue Foundation

Participant of various international NGO projects on conflict settlement issues

Has published several books and other publications

Has been awarded Order of Honor

Is married and has two children.