Viktor Japaridze, a member of parliament from the People’s Power party—a satellite of the ruling Georgian Dream—has sold a 52 percent controlling stake in the pro-government television company POSTV for 1,000 lari (approximately $380). The relevant documents were submitted to the National Agency of Public Registry on October 15.
The new owner of the television company’s controlling interest is Giorgi Shengelia, who previously served as the manager of Japaridze’s share.
Following the redistribution of ownership, the co-owners of POSTV will be:
- Giorgi Shengelia, 52%;
- Temur Charelashvili, 24%;
- Shalva Ramishvili, 24%.
Giorgi Shengelia first appeared in the broadcaster’s official corporate filings on September 23, when he was registered as the trustee of Japaridze’s share.
Shengelia is also the director and sole owner of LLC “POSTV Supporters.” He registered the company on February 25, 2026, the day after sanctions were imposed on POSTV.
Viktor Japaridze acquired the controlling stake in the TV company on October 3, 2022, for 520,000 lari (about $200,000). Four years later, he has sold the exact same stake for 1,000 lari—520 times below the purchase price.
It is worth noting that on February 24, the United Kingdom introduced sanctions against POSTV (as well as against the Imedi TV channel). London stated that the broadcasters intentionally disseminated disinformation regarding Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
On February 25, the day after the sanctions were announced, Japaridze publicly stated that he had not relinquished his stake in POSTV and had no intention of doing so.