TBILISI, 06 November 2015 - Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili today made the following statement regarding the private legal dispute for ownership of the Rustavi 2 television station:
"I would like to comment on the events surrounding "Rustavi-2", and clearly express the position of my government:
This is a private dispute litigation case with regards to the ownership of a private company. Naturally, both sides are using all legal means available to strengthen their positions.
The government of Georgia takes very seriously its responsibility to provide an environment which fully protects the independence of the judiciary and of the media; these two institutions are fundamental pillars of the democratic state we are building.
We are building a democratic state where there is no political interference in the work of the judiciary or in the decisions of the independent court. Since [the change of government on] 1October 2012, such dealings are a thing of the past.
We are building a democratic state where freedom of the media is one of the most important values; no one has the right to undermine or question this freedom.
As regards this legal case, impartial adjudication is the prerogative of the independent court. However, the legal process should be absolutely transparent so that the public may receive detailed information on the process and decisions of the court.
All parties - the government, the media, the court and public - have a role to play to ensure the freedom of the media and the independence of the judiciary. Together, we must prevent any attempts to use any of the institutions of democratic Georgia for partisan or political purposes."