The news agency Accent News has won a court case against the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

Initially, Accent News formally requested that the Ministry provide 2018 data regarding the salaries, bonuses, and additional allowances received by each employee of the Strategic Communications Department and/or other structural units responsible for public relations. Accent News also requested disclosure of the public relations and communication strategies, their action plans, and the total budget allocated to their implementation.

After the Ministry failed to provide the requested information in full within the legally prescribed timeframe and disclosed the information only partially, Accent News was compelled to initiate legal proceedings.

As the agency was recently informed, the court granted the claim in substantial part. The court denied only the request related to salary supplements and bonuses. Regarding base salaries, however, the court ordered the Ministry of Economy to disclose the requested information.

According to Eduard Marikashvili, a lawyer from Georgian Democratic Initiative, the court’s decision obligates the Ministry of Economy to comply automatically once the ruling enters into legal force.

Accent News received legal assistance in this case from the Georgian Democratic Initiative and expresses its appreciation to the organization and its legal team for their support.