A rallies in support of Nika Gvaramia was held today in Batumi, Kutaisi and Gori. Journalists and representatives of non-governmental organizations expressed solidarity with the founder of Mtavari Arkhi and called the court decision illegal.

Representatives of the media and various spheres challenged the court ruling, saying it was a pursuit of free speech and pressure on television.

“You can’t punish people for having a different opinion”, - said journalists in Batumi.

The founder of Mtavari Arkhi was sentenced by a judge to 3 years and 6 months in prison today. He was arrested in the courtroom. The accusation refers to the period when he was the General Director of Rustavi 2. Nika Gvaramia was found partially guilty by the court, part of the articles with which he was charged were reclassified under Article 220 and he was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months.