Rustavi 2 buys Sakartvelo

Rustavi 2 TV has purchased Sakartvelo TV of Yago Chocheli, brother of Governor of Eatsern Georgia Cesar Chocheli, owner of Barambo, Business Georgia reports.

The deal was made on October 30, 2012. Rustavi 2 owners Georgy and Levan Karamanishvilis bought 51% and 49% of shares respectively.

Georgy Karamanishvili used to study together with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili in Kiev. Georgy Karamanishvili owns the Alazani Restaurant in Kiev and was part of the advisors’ council formed to support the Georgian National Investment Agency. Ministers and Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava were part of the council.

Sakartvelo’s license for broadcasting was purchased by the Civil Education Foundation, publisher of the Tabula Magazine, on October 12.

Press secretary of the National Commission for Communications Khatia Kurashvili said that Sakartvelo had undergone authorization.