Authorities are suspending Imedi TV’s broadcast license, station representatives said on November 14, the same day government officials confirmed that the state of emergency—and its accompanying media blackout—will be lifted on November 16.

Managing Director of Imedi TV Birdzina Baratashvili said he was officially notified on November 13 that Tbilisi City Court had ruled to “suspend” the station’s license and block access to its property, according to online news source civil.ge.

The court said the suspension was imposed because the station aired statements encouraging the overthrow of the government in its coverage of the police breakup of anti-government protests on November 7.

It is still not clear exactly when Tbilisi City Court made the ruling. Baratashvili said the document presented to Imedi TV was dated November 7, and that officials had told him its delivery was delayed “because of chaos and unrest.”

However, a Tbilisi City Court representative told civil.ge the decision had been made on November 14 “upon the request of the Prosecutor General’s Office.”

Imedi TV, widely regarded as being unfriendly to the current administration, was taken off-air before the announcement of emergency rule and media restrictions on November 7.

The media group, one of the top two networks in the country, was founded by wealthy presidential candidate Badri Patarkatsishvili, now wanted for questioning on his involvement in the events on November 7.

Imedi representatives claim their equipment was destroyed by special forces officers as they raided the station.

Most other television stations, including main competitor Rustavi 2, were allowed to continue airing entertainment content.

Also on November 14, Parliamentary Speaker Nino Burjanadze met with Imedi TV journalists to discuss the current situation, although she gave no “concrete response” as to when the channel may resume broadcasting, Imedi TV producer Levan Vepkhvadze told journalists.

Earlier in the day Burjanadze announced, in a live speech aired by the state-run broadcast service, that the state of emergency would be lifted on November 16.

She also said that Georgia would have the opportunity to show the international community that it remains committed to democratic values.

“I hope after the state of emergency is lifted the country will continue normal democratic processes,” Burjanadze said, adding, “Democracy is not built in a day.”

Burjanadze emphasized the government’s willingness to continue a dialogue with the opposition, expressing hope that it would end with “concrete results.”

The leading opposition coalition, however, released a statement that day threatening to break off dialogue with the government if authorities don’t “acknowledge readiness for the immediate solution of existing problems.”

The coalition called for “the unconditional restoration of Imedi and Kavkasia [television stations],” an end to “political persecution and terror” and changes to the electoral code.