Nika Gvaramia, the founder of opposition-minded TV channel Mtavari Arkhi, and Kakhaber Damenia, the accused along with him, were found guilty by the court, while Zurab Iashvili was found not guilty. Nika Gvaramia was found partially guilty by the court, part of the articles with which he was charged were reclassified under Article 220 and he was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months.
Zurab Iashvili was acquitted under Articles 221 and 322 of the Criminal Code.
The charge against Kakha Damenia was reclassified under Article 182, 220 of the Criminal Code, and he was fined GEL 50,000.
For the record, on September 6, 2020, the General Prosecutor’s Office charged Nika Gvaramia, as well as Kakha Damenia, the former financial director of Rustavi 2, and Zurab Iashvili, the director of Inter Media Plus, in the case of Rustavi 2. Nika Gvaramia was accused of embezzling a large amount of property belonging to Rustavi 2, commercial bribery and forging official documents, as well as legalizing illegal income by a group with a preliminary agreement. Gvaramia is also accused of abuse of office.
“Stay strong! Stay on Mtavari TV and gain freedom with us! Everything will be fine,” Gvaramia wrote in social media after he was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison.
By Ana Dumbadze
