2019-07-19
"European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) Ruling is yet another confirmation that we did not have a fair justice during the rule of the United National Movement (UNM) and Saakashvili. People were killed, their lives where abused, property rights were violated and individuals were tortured" stated Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia when commenting on the ECHR Court Ruling today.
As for the Case of Rustavi 2, Head of Government of Georgia believes that ECHR has not found any deviations at any stage of the national justice system. The referred Court Ruling prevails and should be binding to all, according to the Prime Minister of Georgia.
"Yesterday's occurrence was yet another confirmation of the fact that we have been dealing with pseudo-democratic forces that were ascertaining for years that their main goal was the European path of Georgia. We have once again witnessed that is was a farce. We have once again seen how the UNM is trying to scam the main principles and values that serve as a basis of the European democracy. Hence, I wish to once again address all those groups that believe in the supremacy of our European choice and solid European system of justice in Georgia to make their position clear on this topic. Otherwise, their attitude will be interpreted very simply as an attack on our European aspirations and principles that serve as a basis of the European democracy, along with values that we should involve in be building of our state. Yesterday's occurrence and ECHR Court Ruling is yet another confirmation that we did not have a fair justice during the rule of UNM and Saakashvili and people got killed, their lives abused, property rights violated and individuals - tortured. That was the reality of those days" added the Prime Minister of Georgia.
TV Company Rustavi 2 news correspondent also asked the Head of Government of Georgia whether he celebrated dismissal of Nika Gvaramia from the management of the company.
"We celebrate the victory of Georgian athletes and artists. The entire nation will celebrate together when two most painful challenges - occupation and poverty - will be eradicated" stated the Prime Minister of Georgia in response.
When asked again by Rustavi 2 news correspondent about the most efficient registration of data on the change of ownership and management, Prime Minister of Georgia noted that failure to execute a court ruling is a punishable offence under the law and Ministry of Justice of Georgia carried out due measures and procedures that were mandated upon it under the law.
In the opinion of the Head of Government of Georgia, statements made on the topic by opponents are a mere demagogy as the Minister of Justice of Georgia made a very clear and specific clarification on the case.
"So called arguments of our opponents are a mere demagogy as they have nothing in common with a reality. Private owner deemed it necessary to act so and Ministry of Justice of Georgia carried out procedures that were mandated upon it under the law. It was not a matter of choice. It is an obligation and everyone should take that into account" added the Prime Minister of Georgia.
As for the editorial policy of Rustavi 2, Prime Minister of Georgia stated that no adjustment of the editorial policy is in the agenda and such assumptions have no real grounds.
"It is guaranteed by the huge achievement made during the rule of the Georgian Dream - media pluralism. Each official in the national authorities treats this tremendous achievement with greatest care. As for the international community and most reputable organizations, look into the content of the ECHR Court Ruling as it clearly refers to their attitude. Sadly, we heard once again yesterday that our opponents are oriented towards inaccurate interpretation and wrong packaging of any information and any fact. It is a Court Ruling made by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and each of us should respect it. Media pluralism is our greatest achievement and we should take a good care of it. This case has nothing to do with our highest achievement - media pluralism and may not harm it by any means" concluded the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Prime Minister's Press Office