Ruling party head defends pro-governmental TV chair accused of sexual harassment

Ruling party head defends pro-governmental TV chair accused of sexual harassment

Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday defended Shalva Ramiashvili, the founder of the pro-governmental POSTV channel, who was in 2018 found guilty of sexual harassment, now also facing similar accusations by several women. 

 

Speaking to the media, Kobakhidze claimed Ramishvili had become a target of a “political attack” orchestrated by David Kezerashvili, the wanted former defence minister under the UNited National Movement government. 

 

Pointing to Kezerashvili’s “large financial resources”, Kobakhidze expressed his suspicion of “using so many women” against Ramishvili. 

 

Last week, a former journalist of Tabula accused Ramishvili of sexually harassing her 7-8 years ago. 

 

Following her social media post, other women also recalled their unpleasant interaction with Ramishvili. Some of them, including Gvantsa Budaghashvili, openly published screenshots of correspondence with Ramishvili.

 

In 2018, both Tbilisi city court and the court of appeals found Ramishvili guilty of sexual harassment against journalist Tatia Samkharadze. 

 

The POSTV is openly campaigning the country's western course and features the far-right individuals defending the country’s “traditions and the faith”.





Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday defended Shalva Ramiashvili, the founder of the pro-governmental POSTV channel, who was in 2018 found guilty of sexual harassment, now also facing similar accusations by several women. 

 

Speaking to the media, Kobakhidze claimed Ramishvili had become a target of a “political attack” orchestrated by David Kezerashvili, the wanted former defence minister under the UNited National Movement government. 

 

Pointing to Kezerashvili’s “large financial resources”, Kobakhidze expressed his suspicion of “using so many women” against Ramishvili. 

 

Last week, a former journalist of Tabula accused Ramishvili of sexually harassing her 7-8 years ago. 

 

Following her social media post, other women also recalled their unpleasant interaction with Ramishvili. Some of them, including Gvantsa Budaghashvili, openly published screenshots of correspondence with Ramishvili.

 

In 2018, both Tbilisi city court and the court of appeals found Ramishvili guilty of sexual harassment against journalist Tatia Samkharadze. 

 

The POSTV is openly campaigning the country's western course and features the far-right individuals defending the country’s “traditions and the faith”.