Georgian media tycoon withdraws from presidential race: TV

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2007

TBILISI (AFP) — Georgian media tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili has withdrawn as a candidate in the ex-Soviet country's January 5 presidential election, Georgian television reported Thursday, quoting his statement.

"I share the views of the opposition leaders and have decided to withdraw from the presidential race," Patarkatsishvili said in the statement, read on a number of Georgian television channels.

"I do not find it difficult to make this decision, because I have never put my own interests above the state's interests. I thank everybody who believed and still believes in me. They will not remain disappointed," he said.

Patarkatsishvili's pull-out from the presidential election came amid an escalating war of words between him and Georgian authorities, which...