"Tavisufali Gazeti": Freedom of Press Under Pressure

"Tavisufali Gazeti": Freedom of Press Under Pressure 

“Tavisufali Gazeti” ("Free paper") has lost its court case involving Premier Minister Zurab Zhvania. The newspaper must pay 5 thousand lari (approx. 2500 USD) to the Prime Minister.

Zurab Zhvania appealed to the Didube-Chugureti district court of Tbilisi, alleging that the information published in Tavisufali Gazeti is libelous and unfair.

The Tavisufali Gazeti accused Zhvania of lobbying for the Football Federation, the Railway Department, and Company "Madneuli". According to the newspaper, Zurab Zhvania demanded that Giorgia Lezhava, who had become the chairman of the supervisory council, pay 2 million lari for that position.

The legal proceedings took place in Didube-Chugureti district court without witnesses, and ended with the victory of prime-minister. According to the newspaper, it was unable to present evidence on its own behalf.

The explanation the journalist gave to the court, that he had obtained the information through private conversation with Lezhava, was not considered sufficient, and the application to have Lezhava present testimony at the proceedings as a witness was not accepted.

The Tavisufali Gazeti considers the court decision unfair, and will appeal to the regional court.