State Security Service announces hit has been put out against Mtavari Arkhi TV director Gvaramia
Mtavari Arkhi channel Director General Nika Gvaramia served as justice minister and deputy prosecutor general under the United National Movement government. Photo: reginfo.
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The Georgian State Security Service (SSS) has told director general of the opposition-minded Mtavari Arkhi channel, Nika Gvaramia, a former official under the United National Movement (UNM) government, to ‘strengthen personal security’ as allegedly a hit has been put out against him.
Deputy Head of the Counterterrorism Centre of the SSS Bacha Mgeladze stated earlier today that along with Gvaramia, one other journalist has received a similar warning and that the agency is investigating the case.
Mgeladze did not identify the other journalist.
Gvaramia himself said he was informed about the possible hit in August 2021, at which time the SSS asked him not to make the case public.
Now the agency informed the public itself about the case,” Gvaramia stated.
Gvaramia says that what the SSS did ‘is a crime, unprofessionalism and a political move ahead of the October 2 municipal elections.’
He said that through disclosing the details, the SSS put his and his guards’ life at risk and the ‘agency will be held accountable for this.’
Gvaramia claims that the announcement aimed ‘to threaten media outlets and journalists and to make people believe that Georgia’s ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili ordered his murder.’
Georgian prosecutor Zviad Gubeladze who is working on Rustavi 2 case says that the ex-head of the TV channel Nika Gvaramia’s guilt in the case of the misuse of the TV station's funds back in 2015 is proved by the testimony of the company’s accountant. Former director general of Rustavi 2 Nika Gvaramia along with former financial director of the TV company Kakhaber Damenia and head of LTD Intermedia Plus Zurab Iashvili were charged with misspending of funds, bribery and fabrication of documents after the Rustavi 2 was returned to its former owner Kibar Khalvashi in July 2019.
The Georgian revenue service has started inspecting the opposition-minded TV channel Mtavari Arkhi’s advertising company following the accusations of ruling party head Irakli Kobakhidze that three TV stations are funded with ‘black money.’ Head and founder of Mtavari Arkhi Nika Gvaramia linked the launch of the investigation to an attempt to falsify upcoming elections and noted that other media outlets face the same threat.
Former Director General of Rustavi 2 Nika Gvaramia, who previously served as the country’s minister of justice, has been summoned to the Prosecutor’s Office to be charged with the misspending of the funds of the channel which was returned to its former owner in July.
Bail has been set at 40,000 GEL for former director general of opposition-minded TV channel Rustavi 2, Nika Gvaramia, who stands accused of abuse of power during his time in the position. Gvaramia also has been banned from leaving the country without the consent of prosecutors, who earlier had demanded bail be set at 80,000 GEL.