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The News in Brief

Wednesday, September 11
‘Main Channel’ aired on September 9

At 9:00 pm, the Main Channel and its news program aired for the first time. It was led by former Courier hosts Diana Jojua and Paata Iakobashvili.

Former Director-General of Broadcasting Company Rustavi 2 Nika Gvaramia Registered on Channel 17 on August 17.

Main Channel now officially has a right to broadcast news and political talk shows.

On August 20, Paata Salia, Director General of Rustavi 2, fired several journalists, including Nodar Meladze, a news anchor. And also Nanuka Zhorzholiani, the host of the Nanuka Show, cited "conflict of interest" as the reason for their release.

On August 21, many journalists from Rustavi 2 left the channel in protest and today most of them continue their work on Main Channel.



Ex-director general of TV channel Rustavi 2 paid bail

Former Director-General of Rustavi 2 Broadcasting Company Nika Gvaramia paid bail of 40 000 GEL as a preventive measure - the statement was confirmed by the General Prosecutor's Office.

The founder of the Main Channel wrote on Facebook on September 8 that he was able to pay court bail.

“I will pay, not by mine, but your will. Because I am obedient to your rational position and what is right for everyone. For everyone except me,” Gvaramia said.

Previously, he claimed he would not pay the bail as he had not committed any offence.

Gvaramia was charged once in August by the Prosecutor’s Office for abuse of power and making decisions which were harmful to Rustavi 2 TV Channel.

Nika Gvaramia calls the accusation "political revenge" by the government and personally by Bidzina Ivanishvili.



Founder of TBC Bank Badri Japaridze sues MP Gia Volski

Badri Japaridze, one of the founders of TBC Bank, is suing MP Gia Volski for disseminating and infringing statements of honor and dignity to the court and publicly denying the allegations.

Badri Japaridze also demands Gia Volski to be fined 221952 GEL. The statement, released by Badri Japaridze, says the money will be spent on financing youth education.

“During the investigation period, the current government and the Georgian Dream representatives violated basic rules of decency; and by the way, they are spreading new stories and based on existing "facts" and misrepresenting public opinion to further undermine our reputation,” said Japaridze.

Badri Japaridze's statement also provides one of the links to Gia Volski's statements, which he considers slanderous.
(By Mariam Chanishvili)