Above the Jeroboams wine shop on Pont Street in London’s Belgravia area is an office belonging to Hunnewell Partners. The office, located on the first floor of an Edwardian townhouse, is not easily identifiable, as shown by the absence of clear signage and no one answering the intercom recently.
Hunnewell Partners is described as an “entrepreneurial private equity and litigation funding practice” and is the ultimate owner of Imedi TV. The broadcaster has been labeled by the European Union’s foreign affairs service as a “propaganda megaphone undermining Georgia’s EU aspirations” and a “ruling party’s most powerful propaganda machine.” Hunnewell Partners disputes these claims, stating that Imedi TV has editorial independence and denies being pro-Russian or anti-western.
Georgia’s political landscape has shifted drastically, with the governing party, Georgian Dream, being accused of shifting the country back into Russia’s sphere of influence. Imedi TV is said to be aiding this shift by promoting anti-western rhetoric. Upcoming elections have raised concerns about the lack of invitation for election monitors and claims of censorship against independent journalists and the LGBTQ+ community.
Hunnewell Partners has a controversial past, with a history of legal battles. Its co-founder, Irakli Rukhadze, was found in breach of fiduciary duty. The company’s legal woes have led to calls for the UK government to impose sanctions on those linked to Georgian Dream’s allegedly authoritarian regime.
The situation in Georgia is viewed as significant due to its potential impact on democracy and geopolitical stand. Concerns have been raised about the UK’s position as a safe haven for figures linked to the Georgian Dream and the broader implications of a country once allied with the West becoming increasingly authoritarian.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/21/owner-of-georgian-broadcaster-called-countrys-propaganda-megaphone-is-based-in-london
