Nika Rurua

Nikoloz (Nika) Rurua (Georgian: ნიკოლოზ [ნიკა] რურუა, born 17 March 1968) is a Georgian politician, and a former member of the Cabinet of Georgia in the capacity of Minister of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia, from December 10, 2008, to October 25, 2012. Rurua previously served as the Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Defence and Security of the Parliament of Georgia.

Early life and career

Born in Tbilisi into an artist's family, Rurua studied at the Meliton Balanchivadze Musical College, after which proceeded to study TV directing at Tbilisi State Shota Rustaveli Institute of Theatre and Film. He graduated from that institute in 1993 and joined the controversial paramilitary organization Mkhedrioni, which was disbanded in 1994. He is one of the few Mkhedrioni members to have emerged as a figure in the Georgian public sphere. In 1994 Nikoloz Rurua continued his studies in the United States. In 1998 became the student of Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta, GA.