Human Right Groups Protest Court Ruling Over Investigative TV Programme

(Tbilisi, August 13, 2003, Civil Georgia) – The human rights advocacy NGOs expressed concern today regarding the Tbilisi District Court’s ruling, which required the investigative TV programme, 60 Minutes, to pay 1 million Lari (USD 460000) to Akaki Chkhaidze, the chairman of the Georgian Railway Department, for moral damage.

Akaki Chkhaidze, who also is one of the leaders of the Presidential-backed election alliance, filed a libel lawsuit against the Tb!
ilisi-based independent Rustavi 2 TV channel, which broadcasts 60 Minutes. In one of its broadcasts last October, 60 Minutes claimed that Akaki Chkheidze was involved in corruption and financial machinations.

Giga Bokeria of the Liberty Institute called the court ruling alarming, saying, “this is an unprecedented case, when a TV company is forced to pay such a great sum.”

Erosi Kitsmarishvili, the head of the broadcasting company Rustavi 2, called the court ruling an attempt to silence independent media on the eve of the parliamentary elections.

Akaki Gogichaishvili, the creator of 60 Minutes, protested against the Tbilisi district court ruling, saying, “this was expected as the government needs additional funds for the parliamentary elections.”

Both the Rustavi 2 broadcasting company and 60 Minutes intend to appeal to the Supreme Court for reconsideration of the case.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian)