Badri Patarkatsishvili’s widow, Inna Gudavadze, said she did not want her dispute over Patarkatsishvili’s assets, including Imedi TV, “to be politicized.”

“The public already knows that since Badri Patarkatsishvili’s death certain problems have been created in connection with the transfer of Badri’s assets, including Imedi TV, to me,” Gudavadze said in a written statement on March 24. “Based on my British lawyer's insistent advice, I want to state that it is totally unacceptable to politicize this issue.”

She said it was extremely important for her that Imedi TV resume broadcasts and “serve the people.” “I am sure I will be able to restore justice in the courts,” she added.

The statement came just a few hours before a planned protest rally by the opposition outside Parliament, which is scheduled for 6pm local time. The opposition said the protest rally would be against, what it calls, the authorities’ attempts to seize Imedi TV.