Zurab Noghaideli, former Prime Minister of Georgia today recalled the details of the violent crackdown on Imedi TV on November 7, 2007, the developments, which represent one of the high-profile cases in the modern history of Georgia.

The court today listened to Noghaideli in the status of a witness into November 7 Case. The case unites episodes of violent dispersal of November 7 protest at central Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, intrusion into Imedi TV and seizure of Mtatsminda Park.

Former high-ranking official, questioned in the status of the witness, confirmed that former president was interested in changing of editorial policy of Imedi TV. “Naturally President had interests about editorial policy of TV stations. Imedi and Rustavi 2 TV Companies had to speak only positive things about him,” Noghaideli stated. He talked in details how he led negotiations with the TV station’s owner and what happened after intrusion of Special Squad units into the television’s building.

Noghaideli said that he visited president after crackdown of Imedi TV on November 7, 2007. Noghaideli also reported that he had talked to Vano Merabishvili, former Prime Minister over phone. Noghaideli said that he arrived at the Governmental Chancellery where president’s room was located. He told how he saw law-enforcement ministers assembled there who seemed very satisfied about what they had done that day.