Co-owner of "Mtavari Arkhi" TV Channel arrested for two months

A Tbilisi court has arrested Giorgi Rurua, an investor in the oppositional Georgian TV Company "Mtavari Arkhi", for two months; he is accused of illegally carrying weapons. The businessman's defence will appeal against his arrest.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that starting from November 14, a round-the-clock protest action is being held in Tbilisi. The protest began after MPs failed to pass a bill to change the electoral system. On November 18, law enforcers used a water cannon and tear gas to disperse the rally. 37 activists were detained. Four people suffered, including two policemen. Then, it became known that Giorgi Rurua, one of the founders of the "Mtavari Arkhi" TV Company, was detained, and the police suspected him of illegally carrying weapons.

On November 20, at a court session, Mr Rurua refused to plead guilty of illegal weapon possession. According to his version, he was detained shortly before the dispersal of the oppositional protest rally near the parliament in Tbilisi on November 18, and some weapons were planted on him during his detention.

Giorgi Rurua was a participant in the protests that took place at the parliament building in Tbilisi.

"Of course, we'll appeal the judgement, although in these conditions it is hardly possible to hope for an objective decision," said Nika Gvaramiya, the founder of the "Mtavari Arkhi" TV Company, who acted as Rurua's advocate at the trial.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 20, 2019 at 10:44 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.