Irakli Rukhadze Steps Away from Imedi TV
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, February 9, 2026
Businessman Irakli Rukhadze announced that he and his partners are leaving their investment in TeleImedi (Imedi TV). "After long and intensive consultations with my partners, we have decided that, given the current situation, the most reasonable solution is to part ways with our investment in Imedi," he said.
Under the new arrangement, Prime Media Global will acquire 50 percent of the station, while the remaining 50 percent will go to Maka Lomidze and her four deputies.
Rukhadze explained the original motivation for purchasing Imedi in 2018. "Owning a television station in Georgia was not part of my plans, and some of my partners were completely opposed to this step. We strongly believe that business should be separated from politics.Nevertheless, separating Imedi from politics has always been a challenge."
He added that the station was intended to safeguard stability and prevent political unrest. "Imedi would serve as a guardian of the country's stability and democratic development. Since 2022, 'destabilization' has also included the risk of Georgia re-entering the war with Russia."
Addressing accusations of political bias, Rukhadze said, "Imedi was never intended to provide unconditional support for the Georgian Dream. However, supporting the Georgian Dream against the National Movement was a reasonable and acceptable decision. It is impossible to compare these two parties on critical issues such as human rights, freedom of speech, the judiciary, the penitentiary system, business freedom, peace, economic development, healthcare, education, and so forth."
Reflecting on the station's impact, he said, "Following the raid and seizure orchestrated by Saakashvili's government, Imedi rose like a phoenix from the ashes of despair. Today, it has four times as many viewers as the next largest competitor. More than half of Georgia's television audience relies on Imedi to learn what is happening in the country and the world."
Rukhadze said he regretted leaving. "Imedi is not equipment, a frequency, or a license, but its people. It is because of them that the station has remained the strongest and most reliable over the years. Working with you has been an extraordinary privilege."
