The US embassy in Georgia has expressed deep concern over the developments related to the management and ownership of Rustavi 2 TV channel, RIA Novosti reported.
Earlier, Tbilisi City Court granted the request of businessman Kibar Khalvashi who claims that under the pressure of the authorities led by then president Mikhail Saakashvili, he handed over his share in the TV channel to the state with no compensation. According to the verdict, 60 percent of the Rustavi 2 shares should be handed back to Khlavashi and 40 percent to the Panorama LTD Company.
On Nov.6, it became known that a judge of Tbilisi City Court has ordered to appoint temporary administrators of Rustavi 2. The TV channel's founder David Dvali and former chief editor of Forbes Georgia, former director of Imedi TV company Revaz Sakevarishvili became the temporary administrators.
Attempts to change the management of Rustavi 2, in advance of the appeal process, have profound political implications, said the statement from the embassy.
"In a democratic society, critical opinions should be encouraged, not silenced," said the statement.
The diplomatic mission called on Georgian government "to uphold the principles of media freedom and political pluralism that are an integral part of those aspirations."
"At the same time, we urge all sides to refrain from violence and dedicate themselves to a peaceful resolution of the situation through dialogue," said the statement.
Edited by SI