Georgia’s main opposition TV protests against what it says is attack on its rights, suspends broadcasting

Opposition television Rustavi-2 has called a protest rally for Sunday, February 19, in Tbilisi as it awaits a Supreme Court ruling on its dispute with the channel’s former owner. Its journalists claim the government has been putting pressure on the judges and trying to misappropriate the TV company.

In what leaders of the channel said was a move to protect its rights, Rustavi-2 suspended its broadcasts late on February 17. “We’ve been left with no other choice,” said deputy general director Zaal Udumashvuili, as he explained the decision to the channel’s viewers. “This silence is an attempt to bring our voice to every single one of you. Rustavi-2 is now switching a protest regime on. We’ll be waiting for you to come to [Tbilisi’s central avenue] Rustaveli on Sunday to stand up for Rustavi-2 and for the freedom of speech.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkwwqA-UeJs

Right now, the TV channel is running a black screen with words “we are protesting against injustice” and calls to show up for the rally inscribed on it.

The litigation over Rustavi-2 has been going on for over a year. Its former owner Kibar Khalvashi wants the channel returned to him, saying he was pressured by the previous authorities into selling it.

After the Appeals Court ruled in Khalvashi’s favour in June last year, Rustavi-2 took the matter to the Supreme Court.