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%).
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 this decision damages not only the further democratic development of Georgia, but limits freedom of media, pluralistic media environment and threatens 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
