Representatives of Telavi TV Company "Tanamgzavri" Say the Administration of Telavi District Plans a Provocation against Them

Representatives of Telavi TV Company "Tanamgzavri" Say the Administration of Telavi District Plans a Provocation against Them

General Director of Telavi-based TV company Enri Kobakhidze and one of the owners of the TV station Vano Akhalmosulishvili state that the law enforcers plan to arrest them.

"According to the information leaked from the law enforcement bodies, they're going to plant weapons and drugs on our persons and then arrest us" - Enri Kobakhidze said on February 16 at the press conference held in Center for Protection of Constitutional Rights office.

Kobakhidze says this provocation is planned by Acting Head of Telavi District's Administration Gocha Mamatsashvili.

Kobakhhidze reiterated once more that Mamatsashvili was trying to gain control over "Tanamgzavri", because hem was dissatisfied with the TV station's work.

"We're covering the events taking place in Telavi district and in all of Kakheti region realistically, whereas Mamatsashvili wants us to be his PR campaigners" - Vano Akhalmosulishvili said.

According to representatives of "Tanamgzavri", Mamatsashvili is not popular in the local population; therefore he is trying to "get rid of uncontrolled, independent TV station on the eve of local elections".

Besides the region's journalists, local NGOs also accuse Mamatsashvili of pressuring the local media. Thy held a protest rally in front of Telavi Administration building on February 4. The participants addressed Kakheti Governor and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili in a written form. "There has been no reaction from President so far" - the participants of today's press conference said.

TV company "Tanamgzavri" is a member of Association of Regional Broadcasters. According to the General Director of the Association, Avtandil Gvasalia, the fact that government is opposing the media is absolutely inadmissible.

He urged Mamatsashvili to observe the Law on Freedom of Speech and Expression in his relations with the local TV station.

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