Court Orders 40,000 GEL Bail for Nika Gvaramia

The Tbilisi City Court partially upheld the motion of the Prosecutor's Office and ordered 40,000 GEL bail for Nika Gvaramia, the former Director-General of Rustavi 2 TV Company.

Additionally, the Court banned Gvaramia from leaving the country without warning the Prosecutor's Office.

Nika Gvaramia has 30 days to pay the bail. As stated by the judge, the measure of restraint may be changed if he does not pay the bail within the prescribed period.

However, the defendant says he will not pay the bail as he has not committed any offense and he is a political refugee of Ivanishvili government.

“I would not pay the bail even if it were 5 GEL. I told the judge that I would not pay the bail, however, she still made such a decision. I will not pay it and let’s see if they will not be afraid to arrest me after one month”, he told reporters.

Gvaramia’s lawyer, Giorgi Sadzaglishvili plans to appeal the ruling at a higher court.  He has 48 hours for it, which is prescribed by law.

Gvaramia was charged under Article 220 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, involving the use of managerial and representational powers in an enterprise against the legitimate interests of the enterprise, for the purpose of profiting others, which caused significant damage.

The offense committed under the mentioned article shall be punished by fine or corrective labor for up to two years, or with imprisonment for a term of three to five years.

The investigation was launched on the statement of the lawyer of Nino Nizharadze, former owner of 9% of Rustavi 2 shares, about the alleged crime committed by the management of the TV Company. In addition, the statement of Paata Salia, the new director of the channel, about an alleged crime that significantly damaged the broadcasting company, was also attached to the case.

Related Story: Prosecutor's Office Seeks Preventive Measure Against Gvaramia

By Ana Dumbadze