US Ambassador stresses importance of citizen confidence in “no selective prosecution” after TV channel founder sentenced by Tbilisi City Court
The case of Gvaramia had raised questions from the beginning about its timing, the charges and the process, Degnan noted, adding even the “perception” of political interference or selective persecution undermined the public confidence in the outcome of such cases.Photo: US Embassy Tbilisi.
Tweet 
Share
United States Ambassador Kelly Degnan on Monday stressed the importance of citizen “confidence” in the absence of “selective prosecution” after Tbilisi City Court sentenced Mtavari Arkhi channel founder Nika Gvaramia for abuse of powers related to his time at the helm of Rustavi 2 channel earlier during the day.
The case of Gvaramia had raised questions from the beginning about its timing, the charges and the process, Degnan noted, adding even the “perception” of political interference or selective persecution undermined the public confidence in the outcome of such cases.
The Ambassador also noted Georgia has made progress over the last 20 years with building the judiciary system and said the work needed to continue.
The City Court on Monday sentenced Gvaramia to three years and six months in prison on the charges of causing a ₾6,763,509 ($2,239,572/€2,151,266) damage to Rustavi 2 between 2015-2019.
The prosecution sought charges for misappropriation or embezzlement in the case, however in its sentencing, the Court adjusted the articles of the charges to abuse of powers. The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has said it will appeal the decision to change the qualification.
Georgia’s “greatest victory” will be “its success in building a prosperous, secure, vibrant democracy”, United States Ambassador Kelly Degnan said on Sunday at a Tbilisi concert marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The judiciary in Georgia is independent of political processes and court decisions bear no political impact, Levan Davitashvili, the Georgian Economy Minister and Vice Prime Minister, said on Monday following claims by supporters of Nika Gvaramia, the former Rustavi 2 channel Director, of persecution following his sentencing by Tbilisi City Court for abuse of powers.
The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has said it will appeal the Tbilisi City Court’s decision to change the qualification in its sentencing of Nika Gvaramia, the founder of the Mtavari Arkhi channel and former General Director of the Rustavi 2 channel, after the delivery of the verdict on Monday.
Political leaders in the United States, including President Biden, have made it clear that Georgia is an important partner for the country, US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan told Georgian press on Thursday.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said the Government would “do its best” to protect the principle of the rule of law, which he called “one of the main European values”.
The verdict of the Tbilisi City Court, which this week sentenced Nika Gvaramia, the founder of Mtavari Arkhi channel, to three years and six months in prison, means the actions of the former Rustavi 2 channel Director are “no longer presumed,” Georgian Vice Prime Minister and Culture Minister Thea Tsulukiani said on Wednesday.
Tbilisi City Court Judge Lasha Chkhikvadze on Friday called on political parties, diplomatic corps, international and non-governmental organisations in Georgia to refrain from “putting pressure” on the Georgian court and allow judges to administer justice in a “peaceful environment”.
Kelly Degnan, the United States Ambassador to Georgia, on Friday said any suggestion of the US interfering in the judicial process in Georgia was “simply not true”.