TV Channel 25 in Batumi returned to its rightful owners
With legal support from Internews Georgia, TV Channel 25 in Batumi was finally returned to its rightful owners.
On February 19, 2000, the Adjaran government physically threatened and forced Giorgi Surmanidze, Emzar Chkhartishvili and Malkhaz Verdzadze, the three co-owners of Channel 25, to sign a “gift certificate”, giving Mikheil Gagoshidze 51% of the station’s shares.
On May 10th, Gagoshidze returned the illegally appropriated TV station, to its previous owners. Gagoshidze relinquished his share in the station by signing a legally binding notary agreement.
Following the terms of the agreement, a local court made appropriate changes in the Entrepreneurs’ Register, and returned control of the station to Giorgi Surmanidze.
Attorney Giorgi Sulakadze handled the case on behalf of Internews Georgia. The trial lasted for four years, but due to the political situation in Adjara, the Batumi court could not fairly consider the case until recently.
Internews Georgia