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Maestro removes Tvalabeishvili

By Messenger Staff
Monday, June 11
The television network Maestro is denying any influence from the Georgian Dream opposition coalition in its dismissal of journalist Nana Tvalabeishvili.

Maestro's General Director, Bacho Kikabidze, explained that the channel is making cuts, reducing its presence in Kutaisi from two working groups to one. Similar firings occurred in Telavi, Batumi, and Gori.

However, some of Tvalabeishvili's peers believe that she was dismissed thanks to her association with Alia newspaper, particularly a critical piece on Bidzina Ivanishvili she wrote for them.

As a sign of support for the dismissed journalist, media representatives in Imereti held a protest attended by approximately 40 people, who claim that her dismissal was undue pressure on a free press.

Tvalabeishvili says that her dismissal was sudden, and she was informed via telephone by Kikabidze. She has declined to comment on accusations of a political motivation for her firing, but noted that for the past week Maestro had not allowed her to attend coalition events.

“I have to clear something up and afterwards I will make a statement,” she said.