Tbilisi City Court on November 29 sanctioned a Finance Ministry probe into the financial affairs of Imedi TV.

In 2004-2006 Imedi TV suffered financial losses of GEL 19 million, according to the Revenue Services. But, it also said, the TV company’s “authorized capital had at the same time increased by GEL 30 million.”

Soso Baratashvili, an Imedi TV lawyer, said his client had no problem with a probe into its finances. He questioned, however, the motive behind the probe, saying it would produce nothing.

Tbilisi City Court ruled that the probe must be carried out within the next 15 days, instead of the usual one month time frame.

PM Lado Gurgenidze said on November 28 that the authorities wanted access to Imedi’s financial records. “According to Imedi’s tax returns, the company is experiencing financial losses. So we want to know how it is financed,” Gurgenidze said.