Bera Ivanishvili files defamation lawsuit against TV Pirveli and Formula channels

Bera Ivanishvili’s lawyer, Davit Asatiani, has filed a lawsuit against Georgian television channels TV Pirveli and Formula at Tbilisi City Court, seeking legal action over
“false and defamatory reports” about the son of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Asatiani said the lawsuit concerns allegations broadcast by the two channels that he claims are unsubstantiated and have no connection to reality.

The lawyer said the claim seeks to have the statements declared defamatory and their retraction ordered in an appropriate form.

Asatiani added the reports included allegations of criminal conduct and a hypothetical link between Ivanishvili and a criminal group.

“We have identified several instances of information being disseminated without any verification, directly accusing him of crimes and suggesting a hypothetical connection with a criminal group,” Asatiani said.

He added that further details of the lawsuit would be made public later.