Nika Gvaramia, the founder and former CEO of Mtavari Arkhi, has written a letter from prison addressing the recent developments surrounding the TV company. According to Gvaramia, the conflict with his former partner, businessman Zaza Okuashvili, began following his resignation as CEO of the channel and his entry into politics, eventually escalating ahead of the parliamentary elections.
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“Suddenly and unceremoniously (at that stage), Okuashvili refused to accept my resignation (as the consent of the partners’ meeting was required) and to appoint Giorgi [Gabunia]. The ‘wrestling’ continued for several months, and finally, due to the importance of the goal, an agreement was reached: I would appoint ‘my’ director (whom I left to the collective’s choice), as would Okuashvili and the third major founder. Giorgi Gabunia, Manuchar Akhalaia, and a certain Gogi were appointed. The main point of contention was the demand that all three sign off on any decision, which was written into the charter,” Nika Gvaramia wrote on social media.
According to him, Mtavari Arkhi was forced to pay 15 000 GEL per month, in addition to the salary of the director appointed by Zaza Okuashvili, Gogi (Giorgi) Kurdadze, to Okuashvili’s wife, Nato Chkheidze, who was a member of parliament at the time.
“When they were refused due to incompatibility, they demanded an increase in the rent for a small building, effectively giving Chkheidze a salary in this manner,” Gvaramia noted.
He further stated that, before the parliamentary elections, Nato Chkheidze requested that she, her brother Rostom Chkheidze, and another person be included in the top 20 of the parliamentary list of the Coalition for Change, a request that was refused.
“Why? ‘The TV is ours, and that’s why’. My response was: The TV is not yours. You are one of the founders, and, besides, the TV shareholders are not connected with the coalition and do not own anything at all.”
Following this, a series of refusals ensued. Gogi created issues with everything, but if Nato Chkheidze’s ‘lease’ or his salary was delayed by even one day, Gogi would also show up. Gogi’s ‘audits’ of the channel began. He obtained all the documents, demanded explanations from everyone, and requested all the audit reports for the years. He even approached the sales house, which is an independent organization responsible for selling advertising (as is the practice for all major TV channels).
Amidst this situation, with their scheming and blackmail, Okuashvili eventually reduced the demand to just one spot on the list - for Nato alone. Do you know which Nato Chkheidze this is? If I were in prison and she and her allies had the ‘Kotsi’ members of the Justice Council elected, I would have added anyone who had even a single interaction with Bidzina to the list,” Gvaramia remarked.
According to Gvaramia, Gogi Kurdadze, acting under the instructions of Zaza Okuashvili and in agreement with Bidzina Ivanishvili, is effectively shutting down the Mtavari Arkhi.
“The sales house has sufficient funds in its account (from advertising revenues), but due to Gogi’s refusal to sign, along with letters filed with the banks and complaints submitted to the prosecutor’s office, they cannot distribute salaries to employees or cover other essential expenses, including utilities and other costs vital for the TV station’s operations. Without these, broadcasting would become impossible. It is clear that these individuals, serving Ivanishvili’s agenda (since no one else in this country has any interest in closing the Mtavari Arkhi), are willing to go to any lengths. The fact remains that the only thing required from Gogi is his signature - neither money nor anything else. Just a signature to legally manage the channel’s lawful income,” wrote Gvaramia from prison.
On December 11, Giorgi Gabunia, the General Director of the TV company Mtavari Arkhi, held a briefing with the company's employees and announced that Zaza Okuashvili is shutting down the channel. According to Gabunia, Okuashvili is achieving this through the actions of director Gogi Kurdadze, whom he appointed several months ago. Kurdadze “blocks all financial operations in the company.” Gabunia stated that Mtavari Arkhi has already been left without financial resources, and signed contracts are gradually being terminated, which will eventually render the channel unable to function.
In response, Zaza Okuashvili called Giorgi Gabunia’s statement slanderous and denied making any decision to close the channel. He accused the current and former general directors of misappropriating funds from the Mtavari Arkhi and deliberately pushing it toward bankruptcy.
