Georgian PM accuses United National Movement of standing for crushing media Freedom and human rights

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday asserted that true European values - specifically media freedom - are currently under threat from both European bureaucracy and “agent network” operating within Georgia.

Kobakhidze noted that members of the United National Movement had supported the actions taken against Imedi TV in 2007 and opposed the broadcaster’s later return to its legal owner following the change of government and what he called a “democratic transformation”.

“They would have preferred to keep Imedi TV and other television companies under their illegal ownership. In general, this is their true colours - a complete disregard for media freedom. Media freedom and property rights have absolutely no value for them”, he said.

Kobakhidze further stressed that traditional European values were “completely alien” to the opposition.

“True European values are media freedom, which is directly opposed both by European bureaucracy and by agent network operating in Georgia”, he stated.

Kobakhidze added that the United National Movement “means trampling on media freedom, democratic values and human rights”.