Who Owned Georgia English.pdf

them in the street. They took transmitters, relays… dismantledeverything. Those in civilian clothes were more active, choosingwhat to leave and what to take – starting with TV sets, recorders,modulators, transmitters… everything. They’d call someone (bytelephone) named Aleko and say, “they’ve got this – shall we takeit?” “Pack” was the response, and they took different equipmenttotaling sixty thousand dollars in value...” 81The officers also took about 50 or 60 licensed films belongingto the TV station. In January, 2006, Sharashidze said he saw thosefilms shown on TV Alania and claims their equipment was alsofound at Alania. Alania managers denied the allegations. 82Kavkasia was one of Tbilisi’s two TV stations considered“opposition,” although owner and station manager NinoJangirashvili didn’t like that tag, as it implied her station wasunder the influence of opposition politicians. She maintains herstation is “independent.” After the November 7 th raid on ImediTV, Jangirashvili claims she was approached by a “businessman”with ties to the government who threatened she too would beshut down unless Kavkasia altered their programming or soldthe channel 83 . Kavkasia held its ground and despite a decline inadvertisers, is still on the air.Maestro TV, established in 1995, was Tbilisi’s otheropposition station. 25% is owned by Giorgi Gachecheladze, aka“Utsnobi” (the Unknown), a local musician, outspoken critic ofthe Saakashvili government and brother of Levan Gachecheladze,who ran against Saakashvili in the snap 2008 presidential electionsand lost. Maka Asatiani, a fashion designer and former presidentof Airzena airlines, also owns 25%. Her husband, Kote Gogelia,is a wealthy businessman and former leader of the oppositionGeorgia Party. Mamuka Glonti, one of Maestro’s founders, holds81 Ibid82 Ibid83 Kavkasia TV and the End of Independent Media. The Messenger Online.http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/1651_july_18_2008/1651_kavkasia.htmlAccessed on 05/12/201224