Media experts evaluate PM’s initiative about establishment of Media Ombudsman’s Institute. Natia Kuprashvili, Head of Regional Broadcasters’ Association says that the new institution will not resolve problems facing the Georgian media because political goodwill is needed for independence of media. 

The European Court's decision once again very clearly proved how important is Georgia for Europe, - the Head of the Presidential Administration, Giorgi Abashishvili said when commenting on the Rustavi 2 case. “It shows how Europe cares for democracy in Georgia, how Europe cares for the Georgian state and protects the European choice of the Georgia people. Therefore, I think it is important for the government to understand the message well,” Abashishvili said. “We are very close to crossing the red lines, which is linked to the country's statehood, democracy and European choice," he added.

The European Court of Human Rights suspended enforcement of the decision made on March 2 by Grand Chamber of Supreme Court of Georgia into case of Rustavi 2 TV Company till March 8. The move envisages three conditions: Georgian state is prohibited to enforce March 2 decision until the Strasbourg Court discusses the case and makes the final verdict; Georgian government is prohibited to close or facilitate to close Rustavi 2; and Government is prohibited the change management or board in the TV Company. Tea Tsulukiani, Georgian Justice Minister explained the procedures. 

“We may get loss of media diversity which will definitely be a step backward for preservation of high standards regarding freedom of speech in the country,” reads the statement released by Georgian Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili into Rustavi 2 case. Based on the document, various violations were detected when making decisions by City Court and Appeals Court into the case. Discussions bypassing oral hearing by Cassation Courts generated negative impact in the public and towards ongoing processes in the court, reads the statement. 

Protest stopped outside Rustavi 2 TV Company after decision announced by Strasbourg Court became known. Supporters and politicians decided to wait for Strasbourg verdict. Nika Gvaramia, Director General of Rustavi 2 introduced the decision to public. Tea Tsulukiani, Justice Minister held a special press briefing. European Court of Human Rights suspended enforcement of the decision made on March 2 by Grand Chamber of Supreme Court of Georgia into case of Rustavi 2 TV Company till March 8. 

Oppositional National Movement Party suggests holding of permanent protests and applying to all legal forms of protest to protect Rustavi 2 TV Company. Tents are set up in the courtyard of Rustavi 2 TV in protest of the ruling made by Grand Chamber of Supreme Court on March 2 into Rustavi 2 case. Supporters and ordinary citizens are gathered outside TV Company building. All sides agree that struggle for freedom of speech should continue. Coordination Council consisting of representatives of 9 parties held a sitting in one of the tents to discuss future action plans. Lawyers of Rustavi 2 TV Company will file an application in the European Court of Human Rights against the ruling made by Grand Chamber of Supreme Court on March 2 into Rustavi 2 case. Lawyers already demanded use of temporary suspension of enforcement mechanism. They are also preparing a complaint to be submitted into Constitutional Court. Former owners, brothers Kramanashvilis are intended to begin international dispute as well. "In spite of the fact that this is a very complex mechanism and needs very serious efforts, we are going to try it in any case. On Friday we’ll file an application with the European Court of Human Rights. Let's see how it all goes. I also call on the Constitutional Court to consider our lawsuits and finally make a decision on the unconstitutionality and the retroactive effect. If these two claims are satisfied, of course, this decision will be automatically canceled," Nika Gvaramia, General Director of Rustavi 2 TV said.Nika Gvaramia, General Director of Rustavi 2 TV Company offered Kibar Khalvashi, new owner of Rustavi 2 to sell TV Company to its current management team after the new owner said he did not rule out selling the broadcaster in the future. "Transfer 100 percent of Rustavi 2 to these people and we will satisfy your commercial interest," Gvaramia said in a televised address. However, Khalvashi refuses the offer. 

Lawyers of Rustavi 2 TV Company will file an application in the European Court of Human Rights against the ruling made by Grand Chamber of Supreme Court on March 2 into Rustavi 2 case. Lawyers already demanded use of temporary suspension of enforcement mechanism. They are also preparing a complaint to be submitted into Constitutional Court. Former owners, brothers Kramanashvilis are intended to begin international dispute as well. "In spite of the fact that this is a very complex mechanism and needs very serious efforts, we are going to try it in any case. On Friday we’ll file an application with the European Court of Human Rights. Let's see how it all goes. I also call on the Constitutional Court to consider our lawsuits and finally make a decision on the unconstitutionality and the retroactive effect. If these two claims are satisfied, of course, this decision will be automatically canceled," Nika Gvaramia, General Director of Rustavi 2 TV said.

Tents are set up in the courtyard of Rustavi 2 TV Company in protest of the ruling made by Grand Chamber of Supreme Court on March 2 into Rustavi 2 case. Oppositional politicians and supporters pledge to keep on holding permanent protests and apply to all legal forms of protest. Coordination Council consisting of representatives of 9 parties held a sitting in one of the tents to discuss future action plans. All sides agree that struggle for freedom of speech should continue. 

Businessman Kibar Khalvashi has been declared as being 100% shareholder of Rustavi 2 TV Company based on the decision made by 9-member Grand Chamber of Supreme Court of Georgia. Khalvashi owns 60 % of Rustavi 2 shares and 40% belongs to Panorama, which is also owned by the businessman. “The ruling of the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court is final and cannot be appealed,” reads the statement of Supreme Court. 

MEP Jacek Saryusz Wolski has echoed the Supreme Court's decision in the Rustavi 2 case. According to him, Georgia took over the last independent TV.“As expected, Georgia's government waited with takeover of Rustavi 2 - last independent TV until it got visa-free from naive EU,” he tweeted.

NGOs expressed their concern over the Supreme Court decision on the Rustavi 2 case and refer to the government's gross interference in the process. 19 non-governmental organizations released a joint statement on the issue."The result does not correspond to the requirements of a fair trial and makes our suspicions even stronger about the government’s interference with the decision-making process. We want to stress that the decision affects the future of democratic development, limits the freedom of the media and pluralistic media environment and pose a threat to the country's Euro-Atlantic integration", - says the statement.The statement is signed by: Transparency International - Georgia, Civil Development Agency (CIDA), the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), Open Society - Georgia, Georgia's Reforms Associates (GRASS), the Atlantic Council of Georgia farmers' Association, the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), Green Alternative, Development Fund (MDF), the United Nations Association, the Regional Centre for strategic Studies, Journalism research and Advocacy Center, the Institute for Development of Freedom of information (IDFI), Society and Banks, etc.

Eka Beseia, MP of the parliamentary majority commented about the ruling made by Grand Chamber of Supreme Court into Rustavi 2 case on March 2. According to Beselia, the case has to do with legal issue about ownership and National Movement Party wants to transform the dispute into a ‘political scenario.’ “Everybody should respect the decision made by court,” she said. 

The government will spare no efforts to protect the freedom of the media in the country, - says the government’s statement. According to the statement, the government, first of all, calls on everyone to respect democratic institutions."The dispute over the property rights has been underway for several years. The case has already passed three instances of the independent judiciary, while the Supreme Court's Grand Chamber adopted a ruling on the return of the TV Company to its legal owner. The government values and protects the freedom of the media and does everything to ensure a pluralistic media environment.We believe that respect for democratic institutions is necessary for the development of the country. At the same time, the government would spare no efforts to protect the freedom of the media in the country," - says the statement.

Georgia's Supreme Court on Thursday ordered its biggest independent TV station, Rustavi 2, returned to its former co-owner, in a move critics at home and abroad called an attempt to silence the media.Hundreds of viewers, opposition politicians and supporters rallied outside the court and moved to the broadcaster's studio building in a gesture of support after the ruling was announced.The TV station has been fighting court battles since August 2015 when a lower court found in favor of former co-owner Kibar Khalvashi and ordered his controlling stake returned to him.Thursday's judgment confirmed that ruling. Government officials have accused the popular TV station of bias, while critics fear Khalvashi - a close supporter of the ruling Georgian Dream party - will silence the only strong media voice critical of the government in Georgia.The U.S. Embassy said it viewed with concern a decision "which could effectively limit the access of opposition voices to Georgian broadcast media." "A pluralistic media environment is essential for Georgia's democratic growth and Euro-Atlantic aspirations," it said in a statement.The OSCE media representative on media freedom, Dunja Mijatovic was also critical. "Disappointing move and huge blow to media pluralism in Georgia," she tweeted.Khalvashi, co-owner of Rustavi 2 from 2004 to 2006, says he was forced to give up his controlling stake under the former government of former president Mikheil Saakashvili.Georgian Dream defeated Saakashvili's party in an election in 2012 and strengthened its hold on power in another ballot in October 2016.The broadcaster's director general condemned Thursday's decision, in which government officials have denied involvement, as illegal and politically motivated. "We have witnessed defeat of democracy, defeat of justice and defeat of freedom of speech," Nika Gvaramia said during a live talk-show at Rustavi 2. "You've deprived the Georgian people of Rustavi 2, but we will be defending freedom of speech until the end," Diana Jojua, one of the broadcaster's anchors, said.Gvaramia invited Khalvashi to sell Rustavi 2 to its current management team after the new owner said he did not rule out selling the broadcaster in the future. "Transfer 100 perce

Politicians and supporters keep on gathering outside Rustavi 2 TV Company after the decision made by Grand Chamber of Supreme Court on March 2 in favor of businessman Kibar Khalvashi. Protest in support of TV Company lasted during the whole night. Tents were set up at the initiative of National Movement Party and Coordination Group to consider future action plan. 

The Embassy of the United States has released a statement on the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision related to Rustavi 2 TV Company. The Embassy says they view with concern the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Rustavi 2.“The United States views with concern the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Rustavi 2, which could effectively limit the access of opposition voices to Georgian broadcast media. A pluralistic media environment is essential for Georgia’s democratic growth and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We urge the Georgian government to take steps to ensure that the media environment remains free, open, and pluralistic,” says the statement. 

Nika Gvaramia, General Director of Rustavi 2 TV Company offered Kibar Khalvashi, new owner of Rustavi 2 to sell TV Company to its current management team after the new owner said he did not rule out selling the broadcaster in the future."Transfer 100 percent of Rustavi 2 to these people and we will satisfy your commercial interest," Gvaramia said in a televised address.

Businessman Kibar Khalvashi is ready to cede part of the shares of Rustavi 2 TV Company to founders Jarji Akimidze and Davit Dvali. The details about amount of the shares are not known. According to Khalvashi, employees of Rustavi 2 will not lose their jobs and does not exclude to hold a meeting with journalists today. 

Lasha Meskhi, former journalist of “Moambe” News Program of First Channel held a protest outside GPB building. Meskhi considers his dismissal as illegal and persecution of freedom of speech. He gave 2-day term to the management for revision of the decision otherwise threatened to keep on rallying and continuing legal dispute. Giorgi Gvimradze, Head of News and Current Affairs Bloc said that Meskhi’s labor contract has expired. 

Family members of an 18-year-old girl, who died in Kutaisi city, Imereti region, blame doctors for negligence. The girl was found at home being in unconscious condition. She was first transferred to Chiatura and then to Kutaisi hospital. Doctors said the patient had taken sleeping pills with purpose of committing suicide. The family does not agree with the version of death.