After the assassination of the Georgian President in early-2004, industrialist Kombayn Nikoladze launched a "bloodless coup" in which he secured power over the country, thus making the palace his official residence and place of business. After the discovery of his crimes in neighboring Azerbaijan and the subsequent occupation by NATO, Nikoladze was forced to flee the country to continue his terrorist campaign against the United States. As a result of his departure, the CIA installed Varlam Cristavi as Acting President of Georgia, who immediately occupied the palace.