A Director General of Rustavi2 makes a statement before the beginning of the Court proceedings.  Nika Gvaramia calls on Tamaz Urtmelidze to recuse the case of Rustavi2. According to him, the case should be discussed by the panel of judges.

" The main demand is recusal of the judge. Because Tamaz Urtmelidze is not a judge for us, he represents the government and is going to make a decision in favor of the government.

Whatever decision will be  taken by the judge Urtmelidze on Rustavi2"s case , it will be  unfair and illegal. According to all international conventions If a party does not trust the court"s judgment on that case, then the judge has to recuse it. That"s why we ask him to go home. This case should be reviewed by another, impartial judge. Or this case should be examined by the panel of judges.  At the stake is Georgian democracy, freedom of media, expression and speech. 

This is the most important  case in the recent history of Georgia,"- Nika Gvaramia said.