Mtavari channel cancels contract with its host after his arrest on violence, attempted rape charges

The Georgian opposition-minded channel Mtavari Arkhi on Wednesday said it had cancelled the contract with its host Lasha Nakaidze after the journalist was arrested on charges of domestic violence, attempted rape and threats in the wake of an incident on Monday. 

The channel administration said it condemned any violence, “especially those perpetrated by a man on a woman, which is not justified under any circumstances,” noting that another employee of the channel notified the police about the incident the same day. 

Mtavari Arkhi said that it could reconsider its position over Nakaidze if the latter was found not guilty.