Georgia’s fifth President Salome Zourabichvili has sharply criticized the Board of Trustees of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) for calling on the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate journalists who have been critical of the management.
In a social media post, Zourabichvili likened the board’s discussions to Soviet-era political purges, condemning what she described as an attempt to silence dissenting voices.
“This is exactly what the Soviet era looked like—officials calmly deliberating on whose case should be handed over to the party, who should be wiretapped, and who should be accused of treason. And this is no different! Today, people accept this reality shamelessly, ready to denounce their colleagues, send them to prison. This speaks volumes about what this regime has become and what it now resembles.
The fact that this conversation was recorded and will remain in our history is something we all must acknowledge. We understand that you are not heading toward Europe, but do you at least realize that you are not heading anywhere ‘with dignity’ either?” wrote Zourabichvili.
Her remarks came after the GPB Board of Trustees concluded discussions on allegations made by journalists Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani, Nino Zautashvili, Kakhka Melikidze, Gia Imnashvili, and others. During the March 21 meeting, board members argued that these employees had failed to present solid evidence to support their claims against the management, accusing them of acting with a specific agenda. Some board members even called for an investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office.
“It would be appropriate for the Prosecutor’s Office to examine why these individuals took such actions and why these incidents are interconnected. If we fail to address this properly, provocations will continue. A thorough investigation is necessary,” said board member and GPB Director Vasili Maglaperidze.
