Deputy Foreign Minister Resigns to Head Rustavi 2 TV

Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Nika Tabatadze announced on October 13 that he will quit his post and become the General Director of the private Rustavi 2 broadcasting company.

Erosi Kitsmarishvili formerly held the position of Rustavi 2 General Director. The Georgian media has speculated that Kitsmarishvili had to resign after disagreements with the government, particularly with the President Mikheil Saakashvili and Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania.

Nika Tabatadze was a long-time leading anchor at Rustavi 2 television before quitting the company a few years back. He is a 10% shareholder of the television station. 

?I think I will continue public service in the Rustavi 2, I think there is no need to explain the importance of this television for the public,? Nika Tabatadze said at a news briefing on October 13.

Rustavi 2 television was established ten years ago in the provincial town of Rustavi, near Tbilisi. Over the last decade it has grown into one of Georgia?s leading television companies.

Rustavi 2 played a prominent role in the last November’s bloodless revolution by supporting the then-opposition leaders against ex-President Shevardnadze?s regime. However, after the new government took over power, Rustavi 2 has frequently been criticized by its opponents for transforming into the “pro-government” television network.