President Margvelashvili calls for restraint in response to Rustavi 2 case decision
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Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili has called on the public to refrain from incendiary actions with respect to the Rustavi 2 case verdict and to await for the decision of the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
The Supreme Court of Georgia ruled yesterday that Rustavi 2 shares will be returned to former major shareholder Kiber Khalvashi and his company Panorama LTD.
In response, Rustavi 2 appealed to the European Court of Human Rights today to suspend the enforcement of yesterday’s decision, lawyer Tamta Muradashvili said.
President Margvelashvili held a press-conference today where he said "from the very beginning the process became politicised as a result of political interference”.
The international community sees the Rustavi 2 process not only as a legal dispute but as a political process which affects media freedom and a pluralistic environment”, Margvelashvili said.
Margvelashvili accented the importance of media freedom for Georgia as "it is a part of the country’s democracy”.
Rustavi 2, as well as all independent and non-government media, is part of the country's social and political situation, which creates the country's democratic governance. The media is seen as the fourth power and independence of the media and criticism are a part of democracy. Questions are very clear - if the independent, critical media is limited in its activities, naturally, it will be a problem not of only one channel, but it will be a problem for the country's democracy”, said Margvelashvili.
The president did not comment on the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the Rustavi 2 case but mentioned that "all media belongs not only to the outlet [itself], but also to the public”, said the president.
The Government of Georgia believes the independence of Rustavi 2 – one of the country’s largest private broadcasting companies – will be guaranteed under the global new leadership of Kibar Khalvashi.
Current Director General of one of Georgia’s largest TV channels, Rustavi 2 has offered to purchase the company's shares from its current owner Kibar Khalvashi.
Georgia’s Supreme Court has delivered a verdict in the ownership case of one of Georgia’s largest TV channels, Rustavi 2.
Rustavi 2, a Tbilisi-based, private broadcasting company, announced the suspension of programming late last night. A case concerning the ownership of the TV channel is currently being reviewed by the Supreme Court.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has temporarily suspended the enforcement of the March 2 verdict of the Georgian Supreme Court regarding the ownership of broadcasting company Rustavi 2.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili announces plans to establish a Media Ombudsman in the country, and invites "the most reputable” international media experts to join in the initiative.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has further extended its earlier decision to suspend the enforcement of the March 2 verdict of the Georgian Supreme Court regarding the ownership of broadcasting company Rustavi 2.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has replied to the March 7 letter of 17 European Parliament Members regarding the Rustavi 2 case.
The reforms of recent years have brought improvements to Georgia’s media landscape, says French-based international non-profit organisation Reporters Without Borders (RWB).
Georgian Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani has dismissed the allegations of Rustavi 2 private broadcaster director Nika Gvaramia regarding the government’s interest in shutting down the opposition-leaning channel and stated that no decision might be enforced by state agencies concerning the channel Rustavi 2 until the European Court of Human Rights delivers a verdict in the broadcaster’s ownership issue.
Founders of one of Georgia’s leading private broadcasters, Rustavi 2, David Dvali and Jarji Akimidze, who founded the channel with now deceased politician Erosi Kitsmarishvili in 1994, have asked for the continuation of the investigation around the ‘illegal seizure of the channel from lawful owners’ in 2004, under the United National Movement leadership.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has released its verdict on the Rustavi 2 private broadcaster’s ownership dispute earlier today, upholding the verdicts of Georgian courts on the case.Rustavi 2 and its current owners earlier filed with the ECHR as plaintiffs, claiming that the Georgian Court of Appeals and Supreme Court had delivered unfair verdicts.