Georgian Public Defender, Nino Lomjaria, expressed extreme concern regarding the judgment delivered today by the Tbilisi Court of Appeals against Nika Gvaramia, founder and director of Mtavari Arkhi TV.

“Unfortunately, the court of the first instance found Nika Gvaramia guilty and did not consider the fundamental principles of separation of civil and criminal liabilities. The Court of Appeals, instead of correctly evaluating the mentioned legal issues, made an even more severe decision and used imprisonment as a punishment against Nika Gvaramia for the action, which, in its content, is covered by civil law and there is no evidence in the criminal case that would prove the action to be criminal,” the statement by the Public Defender reads.

In addition, the Ombudsman’s Office criticized upholding the decision of the court of the first instance regarding the conviction of Nika Gvaramia in the so-called car episode, saying it was initially “problematic”.

The Public Defender’s Office applied to the Tbilisi Court of Appeal and demanded access to the judgement. Upon receiving the reasoned judgement, the Public Defender will additionally present a detailed assessment.

On 8 June 2022, Nino Lomjaria appealed to President Salome Zourabichvili, urging her to pardon Nika Gvaramia.

Nika Gvaramia, the founder and director of Mtavari Arkhi TV, will stay in custody following the decision of the Tbilisi Court of Appeals. On 16 May 2022, the Tbilisi City Court sentenced Gvaramia to 3.5 years in prison for abusing his position and harming the financial interests of the Rustavi 2 TV he had previously run.