Georgian PM says ECHR ruling “confirms guilt” of TV channel founder

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said the European Court of Human Rights had “confirmed guilt” of Nika Gvaramia, the founder of the domestic Mtavari Arkhi TV, in its rejection on Tuesday to consider the latter’s claim against his earlier conviction for improper commercial deals in 2015 and 2019 during his time at the helm of Rustavi 2 TV. 

Kobakhidze claimed the domestic public “sees everything” and added Gvaramia “could not escape the fact” of his “guilt” being “confirmed” by the Court, adding the media and political figure had “once again attacked” the ECHR. 

The Georgian PM also alleged Gvaramia’s intention to appeal to the United Nations Human Rights Committee on his case was a “little trick to escape from the painful decision” of the ECHR. 

He cannot avoid responsibility for these crimes with any tricks," Kobakhidze added. 

Gvaramia was convicted for causing financial damage to Rustavi 2, a channel he formerly headed, via the deals and sentenced to imprisonment in 2022, before he was pardoned last year by President Salome Zourabichvili and released.

He served as the Deputy Prosecutor General, and also had spells as Justice and Education Minister, under the United National Movement Government between 2007 and 2009, before leading the TV channel between 2012-2019.

The European Court of Human Rights ruled in 2019 that 100 percent of the channel’s shares had to be returned to its former owners. Gvaramia founded Mtavari Arkhi following the domestic 2022 verdict on his deals in Rustavi 2, but quit as the Director of the new outlet after his release from prison. 

He recently launched a new political party ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for October.