To All Who Stand for Human Rights, Free Speech, and Independent Media
We respectfully address you to share our deep concern over the critical situation facing Trialeti TV and Radio Company, the only independent regional broadcaster in Shida Kartli, Georgia.
A recent report aired by Trialeti, which involved the Prime Minister and the Head of the State Security Service, triggered political retaliation. As a result, on June 30, the government froze all of Trialeti’s bank accounts.
Every amount transferred to Trialeti’s accounts is seized by the Revenue Service through enforced collection (incasso). The government is draining our accounts and leaving us without any financial resources!
This action has completely paralyzed the company’s operations. We can no longer cover essential expenses such as employee salaries, technical support, utility bills, and resources necessary for broadcasting.
The threat of shutting down our broadcast has now become a very real danger!
Trialeti is the only TV-Radio broadcaster in the Shida Kartli region. Shutting us down means silencing the free press in the region, halting local business engagement, and leaving our employees jobless.
It is deeply concerning that while other media outlets have tens of millions in tax debt and yet their accounts remain untouched, Trialeti faces selective justice and unequal treatment through the use of enforced collection.
This is an act of political revenge by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, in response to our exercise of freedom of speech.
So far, our appeals to all branches of government to end this retaliation and stop the enforced collection have been ignored. We are requesting the use of lawful mechanisms—such as installment agreements and tax settlements—instead of destruction, so that we can continue operations and gradually repay the debt.
The government has not responded, and at this point, it appears that they are close to achieving their goal: to permanently silence a television and radio broadcaster with 35 years of continuous operation.
At this critical moment, we need not only moral support but also financial assistance — to help us overcome the crisis, continue operating at a minimal level, and pursue legal action over the coming months. Through these proceedings, we hope to put an end to the political pressure and regain the ability to work freely and independently.
We kindly appeal for your support to help save Trialeti, a broadcaster with a 35-year history of uninterrupted public service. Today, your support would mean far more than assistance to a single media outlet — it would send a powerful signal in defense of independent media and democratic values in Georgia.
We sincerely thank you!
With deepest respect and gratitude,
Staff of Trialeti TV and Radio Company
📞 +995 599 101331
