Statement of "Trialeti" - Broadcaster on the Verge of Closure!

On February 5, the Revenue Service again zeroed out the bank accounts of TV-Radio Company "Trialeti" and deducted 11,736 GEL. From January 9 to the present, a total of 14,882 GEL has been deducted. In the months of June and October, 17,501 GEL was withdrawn.

In total, within the framework of seizure measures, 32,383 lari has been deducted, which constitutes a severe financial blow for a regional broadcaster operating under pressure from the authorities. Through these actions, the authorities have effectively pushed “Trialeti” to the brink of extinction.

As a result of these actions, our financial resources are completely exhausted. We no longer have the means to cover employee salaries, provide for essential broadcasting costs, or maintain operations.

We will continue to work for as long as we can exist without finances - without salaries and without any income. After that, we will be forced to cease broadcasting as a TV-radio broadcaster deliberately destroyed by the government.

Despite the difficult situation, with little hope but with determination, we will continue our fight in court and will use every other legal avenue available. At the same time, we will always seek to expose and prevent attempts by the authorities to destroy other media organizations.

Unfortunately, the government chose only a punitive and repressive approach. There has been no attempt to help independent media maintain its existence; no mechanisms provided by law - such as debt restructuring, tax agreements, or other legal and humane ways to resolve the problem - were utilized.

The statement by the Revenue Service claiming that seizure (Incaso) would be lifted if the debt decreased was false. The debt decreased, however the seizure (Incaso) was not lifted. In reality, the lifting and reimposition of Incaso was used to restrict our ability to appeal in court!

Through a gross violation of the principle of proportionality, a discriminatory approach, and disregard for the constitutional right to equality, the authorities deliberately destroyed “Trialeti.”

For 36 years, TV-Radio Company "Trialeti" has served the public, protected freedom of speech, and provided the population living in the region with accurate and objective information.

Today, our very existence is under direct threat.

It was our turn - and we state with full responsibility that any independent media outlet could be next!

Independent media in Georgia is in danger!