**Cartu Bank Sues TV Pirveli in Bid to Distance Itself from Founder**
In a move seen as an attempt to shield itself from potential international sanctions, Cartu Bank – founded by Georgian Dream patron Bidzina Ivanishvili – has taken the opposition-leaning TV Pirveli to court. The bank is suing the channel over a report that referred to it as “Ivanishvili’s bank” or “the oligarch’s bank”.
According to TV Pirveli, Cartu Bank claims that the report “misled the public and created false perceptions” about the bank being under Ivanishvili’s control. The complaint also alleges that the channel defamed the bank by stating that Ivanishvili used the private bank to conceal his wealth.
However, critics of the ruling party see this as a desperate attempt by Cartu Bank to distance itself from its billionaire founder. “It’s very strange how Cartu Bank can view its association with Bidzina Ivanishvili as defamatory and damaging to its reputation,” said Irakli Abesadze, founder of the Center for Civil Involvement.
Abesadze added that Cartu Bank is likely trying to use the court system to avoid sanctions. “His name is highly likely to face serious sanctions, and they’re trying to distance themselves from him,” he said.
The complaint comes amid a crackdown on critical media by the Georgian Dream government. Earlier this year, the Communications Commission found TV Pirveli and another critical channel, Formula, in violation of the broadcasting law over language that questioned the ruling party’s legitimacy.
**Background: Cartu Bank’s Ties to Ivanishvili**
Cartu Bank was founded by Bidzina Ivanishvili, who also established the International Charity Fund Cartu. In 2021, the bank was transferred to the fund, with his son Uta Ivanishvili named as the beneficial owner.
The European People’s Party has called for sanctions against Ivanishvili and the removal of Cartu Bank from the SWIFT international payment system. TV Pirveli’s coverage of this issue is at the center of the complaint filed by Cartu Bank.
**Impact on Georgian Media**
This latest development in the ongoing feud between Cartu Bank and TV Pirveli comes as a blow to Georgia’s critical media outlets. The country’s media landscape has been under pressure from the ruling party, with restrictive legislation and harsher regulatory rules imposed on independent channels like TV Pirveli.
As the battle for control over Georgian media continues, one thing is clear: Cartu Bank’s lawsuit against TV Pirveli is more than just a defamation case – it’s about protecting its reputation and avoiding sanctions in the face of growing international pressure.
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