TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into Mtavari Arkhi, one of the opposition’s most effective television channels, just two months after it permanently ceased broadcasting due to financial difficulties.
The Prosecutor General’s Office said the probe targets alleged “abuse of managerial authority”, “embezzlement”, and “money laundering” by company executives. The investigation was triggered by a complaint from the station’s director, Gogi Kurdadze, who was appointed by co-founder and businessman Zaza Okuashvili.
According to a statement issued by prosecutors, their investigators have served Mtavari Arkhi court orders to obtain “financial documentation and electronic information” and a contracted sales company.
In a statement on its website, Mtavari Arkhi described the accusations as politically motivated: “Unfortunately, Georgian Dream managed to shut down the country’s main critical TV channel using Zaza Okuashvili. But it seems the pressure on Mtavari Arkhi has not ended.” The channel alleged that the ruling Georgian Dream party seeks “retribution against the company’s management and other founders.”
Opposition figure Elene Khoshtaria called the raid “another step by Russian Dream (sic) toward media and political repression,” claiming it aims to prolong the imprisonment of former director Nika Gvaramia. “This is a very important moment,” she said. “Our international partners have made it clear that these political repressions will have consequences, including the suspension of visa liberalization.”
Mtavari Arkhi stopped all live programming on 15 February 2025 and went off the air completely on 1 May 2025.
