The abovementioned statement was made by Ina Gudavadze, Patarkatsishvili’s widow, during the October 28 press-conference held in Tbilisi.
“After our property rights are restored in TV channel “Imedi” I’ll bring in professional management” – Patarkatsishvili’s widow said, “A board comprised of respected individuals should be formed, which will then control the work of the TV company” – she added.
Gudava said she had no political motives, the only wish she has is “to make “Imedi” the source of true and balanced information for the public”.
Other members of Badri Patarkatsishvili’s family took part in the press conference; the attorneys defending Ina Gudavadze’s interests Peter Goldsmith and Mark Haufman were also present; the latter said: “we’re conducting discussions and negotiations with several international companies and agencies over partnership with and management of “Imedi”.
TV station “Imedi” was founded by Badri Patarkatsishvili, during his lifetime the TV channel was not very popular among the representatives of the Georgian authorities. Currently the TV company is in the hands of Patarkatsishvili’s relative Joseph Key.
During today’s press-conference the members of Patarkatsishvili’s family presented the resume of the report prepared by Gas Lisnevich, an American forensic expert-graphologist, who was hired by the family. According to the report, the signatures on the documents based on which Joseph Key became the owner and manager of Badri Patarkatsishvili’s assets against the wishes of the deceased entrepreneur’s family, were forged.
“Now after the internationally recognized expert stated that the signatures on those documents do not belong to Badri his family will continue its legal fight with even more ardor” – Lord Peter Goldsmith, Ina Gudavadze’s attorney, said during today’s press conference.
In March Joseph Key said he had bought TV and radio company “Imedi’s” shares from Badri Patarkatsishvili’s friend Gogi Jaoshvili.
According to various reports, Gogi Jaoshvili owned 70% of JMG company. That company is the owner of 65% of I-Media Company, the latter is the founder and owner of 100% of TV station “Imedi’s” shares.
According to the documents presented by “Imedi” to Georgian National Communications Commission in December 2007, 35% of I-Media Company’s shares are owned Universal Company, which was founded by three relatives of Patarkatsishvili.
During today’s press-conference Mark Haufman said all the assets that were formalized in the name of Gogi Jaoshvili actually belonged to Badri Patarkatsishvili.
“Gogi Jaoshvili was just an authorized representative of Badri Patarkatsishvili” – Mark Haufman said.
However, on May 14 Georgian court recognized Joseph Key as the manager of Badri Patarkatsishvili’s property and confirmed the authenticity of the documents in which Joseph Key is named as the executor of Badri Patarkatsishvili’s will. According to the same ruling, Patarkatsishvili’s widow was denied the right to manage the property of her late husband. During today’s press-conference Gudavadze’s attorneys said that the ruling of Tbilisi Court was temporary and it didn’t give Mr. Key the Right to temporarily administer “Imedi’s” assets.
Lord Peter Goldsmith said that Georgian court should take into account the conclusion made by Mr. Lisnevich when making its final decision in connection with the case.
Badri Patarkatsishvili’s family attorneys also said that the amount of the deceased businessman’s property is unknown as it’s dispersed in many countries of the world.
“The significant part of those assets is in Georgia. It’s mainly TV station “Imedi” and “Mtatsminda Park” – Haufman said during the press-conference.
Ina Gudavadze noted that she’d also try to return “Mtatsminda Park” by legal means; Georgian authorities “confiscated” the Park from Patarkatsishvili on November 7, 2007. In July it was handed over to the biggest construction company (Rakeen) of United Arab Emirates.
Number of View: 3851