Media leadership accuses businessman of aligning with ruling party interests to shut down channel

Giorgi Gabunia, Director General of the opposition-leaning Georgian TV channel Mtavari Arkhi, has accused co-owner Zaza Okuashvili of plotting to shut down the outlet in coordination with the ruling Georgian Dream party. Gabunia claims the move is part of a broader effort to suppress independent media amid protests against the Government’s decision to delay European Union accession talks until 2028.

Gabunia alleged that Okuashvili had “joined a campaign of mass violence” orchestrated by the ruling party and sought to obstruct journalists and hinder their work. He framed the businessman’s actions as aligning with government interests to silence critical voices.

In response, Okuashvili denied the allegations, calling them baseless and part of an agenda driven by Gabunia and former channel director Nika Gvaramia. He accused the pair of mismanaging Mtavari Arkhi, leading it to financial difficulties, and exploiting the platform for personal gain. Okuashvili also dismissed claims of ties with Georgian Dream’s founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, describing the accusations as “comical” and noting his legal disputes with Ivanishvili.

Despite the tensions, Okuashvili reassured the channel’s journalists of his commitment to keeping the station operational, emphasizing, “I have not even thought about closing the TV company.”

The feud has intensified with Gvaramia, now a co-founder of the opposition Ahali party, accusing Okuashvili of blackmail and aligning with Ivanishvili’s interests after his refusal to secure candidacies for Okuashvili’s associates in the Coalition for Change party before the October elections.