US Embassy encourages implementation of ECHR verdict in Rustavi 2 in “fair, apolitical’ manner
The US Embassy released a statement on the recent developments concerning Rustavi 2, following the ECHR verdict. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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The United States Embassy in Georgia said the recent ruling of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the Rustavi 2 ownership dispute should be implemented “in a manner that is fair, apolitical, and allows for a multitude of opinions to be represented in the media.”
Freedom of speech and a media landscape representative of a plurality of views are foundations of democracy”, the US Embassy said.
Stressing that they have “watched carefully” the situation related to the ECHR ruling, the Embassy said the US “remains committed to helping Georgia protect freedom of speech and preserve a diverse media landscape”.
Paata Salia is new Director General of Rustavi 2. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
The ECHR ruling of July 18 effectively allowed the return of 100 per cent of the channel’s shares to its former owner Kibar Khalvashi, who argued that Rustavi 2 was illegally seized from him by the former United National Movement (UNM) government in 2006.
Paata Salia, who is also the lawyer of the new owner of Rustavi 2, Kibar Khalvashi, replaced Nika Gvaramia as the director general of Rustavi 2, promising not to interfere in the channel’s editorial policy.
Meanwhile, Former Defence Minister under the UNM leadership Irakli Okruashvili addressed Tbilisi City Court to freeze Rustavi 2 shares claiming that Khalvashi represented him when Rustavi 2 was bought ‘by him’ back in 2004 and that in real it belongs to him.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze says that yesterday’s ruling of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the Rustavi 2 ownership dispute confirmed that justice was neglected by the United National Movement leadership (UNM). The ECHR ruling effectively allowed the return of 100 per cent of the channel’s shares to its former owner Kibar Khalvashi.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said the recent verdict of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on the Rustavi 2 private broadcaster’s ownership dispute was “unprecedented”. President Zurabishvili believes that with this verdict the ECHR has recognised impartiality of the Georgian court and fairness of its decisions.
Paata Salia, who replaced Nika Gvaramia as the director general of Rustav 2, went to the TV company and spoke with the team late on July 18 to set further goals. Salia told the journalists that he does not intend to interfere in the editorial policy and the team may continue working as they did before the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights.
The Georgian Public Registry Agency has registered the shares of Rustavi 2 in the name of its former owner Kibar Khalvashi after today’s verdict of the European Court of Human Rights. Khalvashi’s lawyer addressed the agency to introduce changes in the Rustavi 2 registration document as the ECHR upheld the verdicts of the Georgians courts and allowed the return of 100 percent of shares of the channel to Khalvashi.
Paata Salia, the new director general of Rustavi 2, says the channel has certain financial problems. After meeting with the staff of Rustavi 2, Salia said the channel’s financial situation was ‘worse than expected.’He said it is important to find ways to “solve the financial problems”.
Former Defence Minister Irakli Okruashvili says that he gave testimony in the Rustavi 2 case back in 2014 under the Georgian Dream leadership to have the support in the mayoral elections he ran. He said in the testimony in April 2014 that Rustavi 2 was illegally seized on the demand of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili from its lawful owners and founders Jarji Akimidze and David Dvali in 2004.
Nika Gvaramia, a former Director General of Rustavi 2 TV, who was dismissed as soon as the ex-owner of the channel Kibar Khalvashi was given back his shares of the channel July 18, has announced the creation of a new channel, “which will start broadcasting earlier than you think.”
The new owner of Rustavi 2 Kiber Khalvashi, who was given 100 per cent of the company’s shares on July 18, is selling the broadcasting company, reports Rustavi 2.
Discussion of Georgian TV channel Rustavi 2 continues after its new owner Kibar Khalvashi announced the sale of TV company.