Co-founder of Mtavari Arkhi Rurua left in pretrial detention

Tbilisi City Court has left a co-founder of Mtavari Arkhi Giorgi Rurua in pretrial detention for alleged possession and carrying of a firearm, the charge Rurua refuses to admit. 

• Police detain shareholder, founder of Mtavari Arkhi TV, Giorgi Rurua

Giorgi Rurua, who is the brother of the deceased official under the United National Movement government Nikoloz Rurua, was detained on November 18. 

The opposition and Rurua say that the firearm was planted and the detention is “politically grounded,” which the ruling Georgian Dream party members strongly dismiss.

 Illegal possession and carrying of a firearm is punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to three years. 

• Opposition-minded TV channel Mtavari Arkhi has new shareholders​​​​​​​

Director General of Mtavari Arkhi TV Nika Gvaramia says that Rurua’s detention is connected with the new TV channel, as Rurua holds 2.5 percent of the shares of Mtavari Arkhi.​​​​​​​