Georgian bank files defamation suit against opposition broadcaster

Cartu Bank, a Georgian financial institution, has filed a defamation lawsuit against opposition-aligned television channel TV Pirveli, following the station’s reference to the bank as “Ivanishvili’s bank.”

In its legal complaint, Cartu Bank asserts that the designation is factually incorrect and damaging to its reputation, Caliber.Az reports.

 The bank maintains that it has no direct affiliation with Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, and firmly denies any claims suggesting ownership by him.

“Cartu Bank does not belong to Bidzina Ivanishvili and operates independently,” the bank stated, emphasizing its position in the lawsuit.

However, according to corporate records, the beneficial owner of Cartu Bank is Ivanishvili’s son, Uta Ivanishvili, who holds 100% of the shares in Cartu Group, the parent company of the bank.

By Vafa Guliyeva