25 May 2026.
To the Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia Mr. Shalva Papuashvili
To the Chairperson of the “Georgian Dream” Faction Mr. Irakli Kirtskhalia
To the Chairperson of the “For Georgia” Faction Mr. Shalva Kereselidze
To the Chairperson of the Legal Issues Committee Mr. Archil Gorduladze
To the Chairperson of the Human Rights Protection Committee Mr. Rati Ionatamishvili
To the Chairperson of the European Integration Committee Mr. Levan Makhashvili
To the Chairperson of the Regional Policy and Self-Government Committee Mr. Irakli
Kadagishvili
We would like to inform you that, for many months now, LLC “TV-Radio Company ‘Trialeti’” has been the victim of politically motivated pressure, selective justice, and discriminatory treatment by the authorities, which poses a direct threat to the existence of independent media in Georgia.
Over the years, a number of systemic factors, including the forced transition to digital broadcasting, broadcasting without revenue during the pandemic period, the weakening of the advertising market, and political pressure on certain media outlets, have resulted in the accumulation of debt for almost all media organizations.
Despite the fact that this problem is of a general nature, the authorities have applied the extreme sanction -an incasso order - solely against TV Company “Trialeti” twice last year, and now for the third time since January 9 of the current year. As a result, any funds entering our accounts are fully seized, which effectively paralyzes the broadcaster’s operations and poses a real threat to its existence.
As of today, for already 7 months, “Trialeti” employees have been working without salaries, and various expenses necessary for broadcasting are being covered through borrowed funds. Due to the current situation, the television company has already been disconnected from satellite broadcasting, and there is a real threat that on-air broadcasting will also cease in the near future.
At the same time, according to publicly available information, television companies affiliated with the authorities (“Rustavi 2”, “Imedi”) have significantly larger tax debts; however, neither similar sanctions nor other forced collection mechanisms are applied against them.
Particularly alarming is the fact that the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, during a television debate, publicly confirmed the existence of a selective approach. According to his statement, certain television stations, despite multi-million debts, are not subject to sanctions, while the state implements extreme repressive measures against "Trialeti".
At the same time, it became evident that the state restructured the tax debt of TV Company “Rustavi 2” (presumably also “Imedi” and “Postv”) and concluded a tax settlement agreement with them, while multiple official requests by “Trialeti” to receive analogous conditions have been rejected each time. Link:
The Prime Minister’s public statement constitutes clear and direct evidence of a violation of the principle of equality and of a discriminatory approach.
The fact is that:
• the bank accounts of TV Company “Trialeti” have been blocked;
• it is not being given the opportunity to restructure its debt;
• administrative and financial pressure is being carried out;
• and all this while other television companies are either not being required to pay their debts at all, or are being offered preferential conditions.
This fact clearly indicates a selective and discriminatory policy, which contradicts both the principle of equality guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and international obligations in the fields of media freedom and the rule of law.
In the case of “Trialeti,” Article 4 of the Administrative Code - Equality Before the Law, Article 6 - The Procedure for Exercising Discretionary Powers, and Article 7 - Proportionality of Public and Private Interests, have been violated.
We have repeatedly requested public information from the Ministry of Finance and the Revenue Service, as well as from the Administration of the Prime Minister, regarding the tax settlement agreements and debt restructuring conditions concluded with TV companies “Rustavi 2,” “Imedi,” and “POSTV”; however, the relevant agencies have not provided us with the requested information to this day.
We believe that the authorities have deliberately decided to make an example of “Trialeti” by punishing and shutting it down, in order to send a warning to all free media outlets that maintain a critical and independent editorial policy.
Different branches of the authorities are jointly acting against TV-Radio Company “Trialeti.” Financial blockade, artificial barriers, judicial and administrative pressure - all of this serves the achievement of one goal: to silence critical and free media in the region.
Particularly alarming is the fact that the Public Registry even altered a word in the text of “Trialeti’s” charter - replacing the word “decision” with the word “consent” - and, on the basis of this falsified interpretation, once again blocked the re-registration of “Trialeti.”
At present, access to “Trialeti’s” accounting software and bank accounts has been unjustly and unlawfully blocked.
For already 36 years, “Trialeti” has represented independent media in the region. Its closure will significantly damage media pluralism in Shida Kartli and further reduce the public’s access to objective and independent information.
In light of the foregoing, we address the Parliament of Georgia:
1 1. Examine the compliance of the actions of the Revenue Service with the Law “On the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination,” as well as with Articles 4, 6, and 7 of the Administrative Code, which establish the principles of equality and impartiality.
2. Request information regarding tax settlement agreements concluded with other television companies, in order to assess the possible unequal and selective approach on the part of the state.
3. On the basis of the relevant examination, address the executive authorities with a request to cease discriminatory practices and ensure an equal approach;
4. Examine the possible facts of abuse of authority and failure to provide public information on the part of the leadership of the Ministry of Finance and the Revenue Service;
5. Investigate the possible unlawful actions of the National Agency of Public Registry aimed at suspending the registration of “Trialeti,” including the issue of the incorrect interpretation of the text of the charter.
Furthermore, we explicitly emphasize that over the past five years, the company has been fully paying its current taxes and stands ready, similarly to media outlets affiliated with the authorities, to gradually repay the accumulated debt on the basis of an agreement.
We are ready to provide any additional information and documentation requested by you.
Respectfully,
LLC “TV-Radio Company ‘Trialeti’”
General Director: /J. Nanetashvili/
Tel.: 599 15 13 31
