Nika Gvaramia, head of the opposition-minded Mtavari channel, who was convicted earlier this year, said on Friday that the judge Lasha Chkhikvadze, who sentenced him to three years and six months in prison, was affiliated with the Georgian Dream authorities and the latter’s recent accusations towards the US Embassy were the part of the current authorities “anti-Westen and the anti-US” campaign. 

Chkhikvadze claimed on July 15 that the embassy removed him from a programme and canceled his US trip following his judgment in Gvaramia’s case, the allegations which were shortly dismissed by US Ambassador Kelly Degnan.

Gvaramia suggested that the Georgian Dream authorities involved judges in its “anti-Western propaganda.” 

Gvaramia was found guilty of causing a ₾6,763,509 damage to Rustavi 2 TV between 2015-2019, while heading the channel, through advertising deals, and was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for abuse of power. 

Gvaramia Opposition said that it was a politically grounded verdict.