Levan and Gia Kharamasnishvili, holders of 80% of Rustavi2"s shares release a statement and express readiness to hand 40 % of shares to the broadcasting company"s employees.

"We appeal to the Rustavi-2"s staff, each employee.
Dear friends, your role in the fight for freedom of speech and democracy in Georgia is invaluable. If not for your daily devotion, the Rustavi 2 would no longer exist, or would have been turned into Bidzina Ivanishvili’s private, propaganda channel. What you have done in the last two years, since Bidzina Ivanishvili started attempts to attack the company, is heroism.

We acknowledge courage and titanic work which is behind all this. We would like to thank each of you for that ! As a result of your fight, Rustavi 2 has turned into a truly public television. Due to respect and gratitude for your professionalism, patriotism and consistency the owners of Rustavi2 have decided to offer you the following :

To hand our shares in Rustavi 2 (40%)to the staff of Rustavi 2, so you will be participants and accomplices of the fate and future of the broadcasting company in capacity of owners.
As you know, our shares are seized, but we are ready to sign relevant contrasts right now on the condition, that the shares will be transferred as soon as seizure will be lifted.

Nearly thousand people are employed by Rustavi2 right now, whose salaries are from 500 to 60,000 GEL. In spite of the position and amount of salary, contribution of each of them is unique and invaluable,"- states the announcement.