GPB Board of Trustees Reinstates Giorgi Baratashvili

GPB Board of Trustees decided on April 29 to reinstate Giorgi Baratashvili as Director General of the GPB. The information regarding the decision is uploaded on the GPB’s website. According to the press-release, on April 24, the National Enforcement Bureau satisfied Baratashvili’s application and obliged the GPB Board of Trustees to reinstate him as a Director General of the broadcaster.

Eight members of the Board voted for Baratashvili’s reinstatement and they were: Mamuka Pachuashvili, Davit Kandelaki, Zurab Davitashvili, Emzar Goguadze, Avtandil Antidze, Natalia Dvali and Levan Gakheladze. Yet the Board of Trustees may appeal against the court’s decision. According to Levan Gakheladze, the appeal will rely on the motivation part of the court’s decision, giving the Board well-grounded information regarding the motives behind the court’s decision, and whether there was a procedural shortcoming or other violations.

“I think the judge has not substantially considered the case; he studied it superficially and passed verdict perfunctorily. During the substantial hearing of the case the judge did not summon any of the Board members in order to hear our motivations,” – Levan Gakheladze, Head of the Board of Trustees, told Media.Ge

Giorgi Baratashvili was dismissed by the Board on March 4, but on April 15 Tbilisi City Court fully satisfied the appeal of the former GPB Director General- Declaring void the Board’s decision regarding his dismissal, and reinstated him in powers.

The court obliged the GPB to compensate Baratashvili the same he would have received as a salary starting from March 4 until the date of his reinstatement.

Gela Bochikashvili, media.ge