Investigation into TV Tower blackout begins

The Tbilisi TV Broadcasting Tower on Mtatsminda Mountain plunged into darkness after Tbilisi City Hall switched off the lights last night.

Those responsible have been blasted by the Government, who deemed the act harmful and risky.

The shining beacon was switched off by the Tbilisi City Hall in a bid to boost discussions about the 2014 budget.

Today, the Chief Prosecutors Office announced it had begun investigating possible abuse of power concerning the deactivation of the lights on the Tbilisi TV Broadcasting Tower.

Director of the company "City of Light Nika Togonidze has been interrogated at the Chief Prosecutors Office all morning.

The outside light of the Tbilisi TV Broadcasting Tower and a navigation beacon was turned off yesterday evening, (January 20) by Tbilisi City Hall.

Several hours later the lights were turned back on again. According to a statement by Tbilisi City Hall, the TV Tower lights were extinguished to boost budget discussions at Tbilisi City Council.

"The extinguishment of the Television Tower light was not Tbilisi City Halls addiction. We longed to improve the budget discussion process and make the City Council representatives more responsible toward problems which can occurring Tbilisi if the budget is not approved, the statement said. Tbilisi City Hall denied any connection to the disconnection of the navigation beacon.

The Authorities frowned upon the act and said a lack of lights on the tower might impact airplane flights.

The government has appraised Tbilisi City Halls actions as irresponsible.

"We want to remind Tbilisi City Hall that their decision conceives high risk for residents and also includes all the signs of sabotage, stated the Government.

Last December, Tbilisi City Council failed to approve the 2014 budget for the capital city. At least 24 votes are needed to pass the proposed budget. The budget was supported by 18 delegates, 21 voted against and 3 opted not to vote.

Disagreements between the majority and minority surrounded budget distribution as well as budget priorities defined by the city government.

The Tbilisi TV Broadcasting Tower was constructed in 1955. The tower measures 274.5m high and stands on Mtatsminda Mountain at 719.2m above sea level.