Civic activist Gota Chanturia writes on social media that comedian Davit Rostomashvili is suing him for defamation in Zestaponi Court. The comedian is disputing the activist’s use of the word “loan shark” in reference to him.

Gota Chanturia learned about the lawsuit from a Rustavi 2 journalist, who contacted him for comment. This happened after his movement, the Social Democrats, applied for registration as a political party. The activist links the legal dispute to this fact.

According to Chanturia, the case concerns the construction of a petrol station by Davit Rostomashvili in Terjola, which local residents are protesting. The activist writes that after local residents contacted them, they visited the site and prepared video material. It is in this video that the activist uses the word “loan shark.”

“I asked around in many places and many people confirmed his links to loan-sharking. Some may be ready to speak publicly, others may not. You may also have this information and know about it, as it is so widely known. If nothing else, I think it can be easily checked in the registry. Of course, I link this to our political activity and the transformation of the movement into a party. Otherwise, why would Davit Rostomashvili want the whole country to talk about his activities again?” the activist writes.