Saturday, May 9, 2026

Georgian opposition TV claims tax debt used to silence its voice

Rustavi 2 director Nika Gvaramia.

TBILISI, DFWatch–The director of Georgia’s biggest opposition TV company claims the government is using tax laws to to get it off air ahead of the local elections in October.

“TV company Rustavi 2 is again under threat […] The state is seemingly preparing for a decisive blow

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Georgia suspends two officials while investigating journalist's abduction

Giorgi Mghebrishvili
Interior Minister Giorgi Mghebrishvili said the two officials are suspended to eliminate all suspicion. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has suspended two high ranking officials to ensure the impartiality of an investigation into the alleged abduction of an Azerbaijani investigative journalist.

The decision comes after immense pressure from human rights groups,

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Azerbaijani RFE/RL journalist detained, barred from leaving country

Kamran Mahmudov (right) with Afgan Mukhtarli, another Azerbaijani journalist whose abduction in Tbilisi in May caused outrage
Kamran Mahmudov (right) pictured next to his Azerbaijani colleague Afgan Mukhtarli, whose abduction in Tbilisi in May caused a public outcry in Georgia. (Facebook.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–A journalist at Radio Free Europe’s now closed office in Azerbaijan was detained on Thursday and told that he cannot leave the country.

Kamran Mahmudov, a former producer for RFE/RL, was detained at the border on the way into Georgia and taken to the

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Georgian PM proposes creating new media ombudsman post

kvirikashvili-giorgi
PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister proposes creating an office of media ombudsman.

The PM’s proposal comes at the same time as the situation surrounding a lawsuit about the country’s most popular TV company remains in a deadlock.

After a meeting with PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili

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Georgia's embattled TV station Rustavi 2 plans new rally on Saturday

Rustavi_2_Zaal_Udumashvili_2017-02-19
A scene from the February 19 rally. (Rustavi 2.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Embattled Georgian TV channel Rustavi 2 plans another rally in Tbilisi on Saturday to protest what it claims is an attempt by authorities to silence free speech in the country.

On March 3, Georgia’s Supreme Court upheld a decision to change ownership of Rustavi 2.

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