On 11 March 2015 Tbilisi City Court rendered its decision on the case of TBC Bank and Mr. Mamuka Khazaradze against the local newspaper Asaval-Dasavali. The Court has ruled in favor of TBC Bank and Mr. Mamuka Khazaradze and ordered the newspaper to reject false and defamatory statements disseminated by the latter.
TBC Bank and Mr. Mamuka Khazaradze filed a joint claim to the court against the newspaper in late February of last year and claimed monetary compensation for defamation in the amount of GEL160,000.
Ms. Ketti Kvartskhava, Partner of BLC Law Office, representing the interests of the bank and Mr. Mamuka Khazaradze in this dispute, noted that: “the decision is in line with the practice established by the Supreme Court of Georgia on defamation cases and bears vital importance for development of responsible journalism in Georgia. Journalists, who have an obligation to provide the public with full, complete, accurate and objective information, must realize duties and responsibilities freedom of speech carries with it.”
The Court rejected the claim on monetary compensation for dissemination of defamatory statements by the newspaper. The lawyers of the claimants plan to appeal the judgment in this regard. Stay tuned and follow our web page for further information on the case.
