**Georgian Prosecutor’s Office Targets Mtavari Arkhi Channel**
In a move that has sparked controversy, the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has requested financial records from the opposition Mtavari Arkhi channel and its contracting sales company. The investigation is focused on alleged financial misconduct at the broadcaster.
According to prosecutors, the probe centers on accusations of “abuse of managerial authority,” “misappropriation and embezzlement” of funds, and the “legalization of illicit income.” This development comes amid a months-long internal management conflict that led the channel to go off air in May. Mtavari Arkhi has been operating through social media since then.
**Channel Denies Wrongdoing**
Mtavari Arkhi has denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations “absurd.” The channel’s statement claimed that the accusations are part of a larger campaign to discredit its management and co-founders by Zaza Okuashvili, one of its co-founders. The channel also accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of using Okuashvili to shut them down.
**Internal Conflict Intensifies**
The internal discord at Mtavari Arkhi has been escalating in recent months. Channel general director Giorgi Gabunia has accused Zaza Okuashvili of orchestrating efforts to dismantle the station and colluding with the ruling Georgian Dream party. Additionally, Gabunia and Mtavari Arkhi argued that Kurdadze, acting under Okuashvili’s direction, deliberately withheld payments to service providers.
**Channel Founder Accused**
Okuashvili has denied those accusations and, in turn, has publicly accused Gabunia and Mtavari Arkhi co-founder Nika Gvaramia of “financial manipulation,” which led the channel to “artificial bankruptcy.” This development is part of a larger conflict between Okuashvili and Gabunia over the management of the channel.
**Background**
Mtavari Arkhi was founded by Nika Gvaramia, a former director general of the Rustavi 2 TV channel. Gvaramia has been embroiled in controversy himself, having been jailed in 2022 for abuse of power related to Rustavi 2 management. His release and subsequent entry into politics have made him one of six opposition leaders currently jailed for refusing to testify before a commission investigating alleged misconduct by former officials.
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