BBC: Georgian TV blocked by Russia

The broadcasts have been suspended because of "pressure from the Russian government."

The channel, called First Caucasian, was being transmitted by a French satellite operator Eutelsat.

Georgia accused Eutelsat of suspending broadcasts, after only two weeks of operation, under Russian pressure.

Eutelsat has denied that was the reason, saying First Caucasian was only being carried on a trial basis.

It said no contract had been signed with the channel and that negotiations were still under way.

"From our perspective there should be no reason why we should not conclude a contract with them," Eutelsat spokeswoman Vanessa O'Connor told the AFP news agency.

She denied the company had come under Russian pressure, and said the station could resume broadcasting as soon as a contract was signed.
Propaganda war.

Georgia and Russia have been locked in a propaganda war ever since they went to war in August 2008.

Georgia launched its state-run, Russian-language channel in mid-January, on the internet and on satellite.

/Georgian Times/