We are deeply concerned by the decision, made on March 2 by the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court of Georgia, stating that the owner of Rustavi 2 shares will become Kibar Khalvashi (60%) and Ltd Panorama (40%).

 

The monitoring of the case provides grounds that In all three instances of judicial proceedings, as well as the final result, do not meet the requirements of an independent court decision and strengthens our doubts concerning the rough interference of the government in the decision making process.

 

We want to emphasize, that it left clear impression that government has been attempting to take control over the main opposition media outlet, which would significantly damage media pluralism and democracy in Georgia and threaten Euro-Atlantic integration process.

 

Transparency International Georgia

Civil Development Agency

International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy

Open Society Georgia Foundation

Georgian Reforms Associates

Atlantic Council of Georgia

Georgian Farmers Association

The Economic Policy Research Center

Green Alternative

Media Development Foundation

UN Association of Georgia

Georgian Democracy Initiative

Regional Centre for Strategic Studies

In Depth Reporting and Advocacy Center

Union Safari

Georgian Institute of Politics

Voice from Georgia

Institute for Development of Freedom of Information 

Society and Banks

Media Advocacy Coalition

Tolerance and Diversity Institute: TDI

Green Alternative

Article 42 of the Constitution