Founders of “Rustavi 2” reflect on expectations and plans regarding the court case. What awaits the broadcasting company, what decision will be made in Supreme Court and how the battle, which is not only battle for “Rustavi 2”, will continue.
Gia Kharamanashvili in detailed interview speaks not only about past processes, but about ongoing hearing in Supreme Court and says, that what was happening in court up to now, has nothing to do with court.
According to him, it was a special operation held by judges.
“The whole Georgia saw what was happening in court room. In court room, because what was happening there has nothing to do with court process. First shameful Urtmelidze hearing, then so called “Troika”. This was nothing but Ivanishvilis special operation held by judges to grab Rustavi 2”
“Now we at the next stage. The case is in Supreme Court. I do not know what will happen there, but the whole Georgia saw our unbeatable position, our truth and what is the most important, first of all judges see that. These judges inadvertently became the part of Georgian history. But it is their choice how will they remain in Georgian history, what kind of decision will they make – is it going to be fair decision based on responsibility and rule of law or is it going to be an implementations of somebody’s will”
“I want to emphasize, the fact that 9 judges are reviewing the case, is not neutralizing personal responsibility of each judge”.
According to Kharamanashvili, the owners of Rustavi 2 are ready for every kind of possible development of events.
“As to our expectations, I will tell you very shortly. We are ready for every possible scenario. The end of this case will not be in this court. The end is going to be that our truth will be proved and Rustavi 2 will serve people as it does today. And all those oppressors and criminals, who was involved in this case, will inevitably face justice”, - said Gia Kharamanashvili.
On the question if authority will be able to take Broadcasting Company Rustavi 2 from its owners what measures will be taken, Gia Kharamanashvili says, that fight continues and not only company will be returned, but the damage will be also reimbursed.
“Today this court process is determining the fate of our country and each citizen of Georgia. In this situation conversations about our property I consider as incorrect. And I said it several times that our property is not under threat. If this authority will manage and take our property from us for some time, it is going to be for just some period of time. We will not only return it, but the damage will be also reimbursed and it is going to be counted not by some Ivanishvili, but by the trustful accounting company and we will do it in Georgia and abroad”, - says Kharamanashvili.
According to Gia Kharamanashvili the fact that is happening regarding Rustavi 2, demonstrates that state is at the bottom today. He also speaks about international community and says that their reaction is going to be more active.
“I am sure nobody has an illusion of what kind of game the authorities are playing. The majority knows that this is about all of us. Because there will not be a line where authorities will stop, if they manage to take grab Rustavi 2 even for small period of time. Not only the whole information flow will be like “Vremija” who remembers it, who does not can watch “2030”, but the whole country will be like North Korea. Besides, the monopolization of power is going on”.
“Society will be left without choice, mechanism to control authorities. In this situation, it is going to be very naive to think that tomorrow they will not grab your business, your beloved job, apartment, car or some other property. Georgia will not receive visa-liberalization, which means that thousands of our citizens, will not be able to travel to Europe. We see Rustavi 2 from this very point of view”.
“We have lost far more in our lives and I do not mean some kind of material property in Sokhumi, Abkhazia, but we understand very well that getting back all of this is connected to Rustavi 2. We will not be able to return Abkhazia, if we do not have a strong state, Georgia. State is not going to be strong, if it does not have free media, without its leader Rustavi 2. The fact what is happening around Rustavi 2, demonstrates that the state is at the bottom. It is not an indicator of strong state”
“In this situation Rustavi 2 is last resort. It is a red line, which if it is going to be crossed, will trigger the reluctant reaction from international community and I am sure it will become far more active. The people will not stand by the authority, which lost legitimacy. It is simply impossible. I as a citizen of this country, do not wat to see this scenario” – says Kharamanashvili.