In Tbilisi, protest action marked by attacks on journalists

Law enforcers beat up employees of several Georgian publications covering a protest action which took place in front of the “Tbilisi Mall” shopping centre.

On February 2, in Tbilisi, protesters demanded to release those detained at the protests. Law enforcers detained about 30 people, and at least five participants in the protest action were hospitalized. Activists claimed that law enforcers were beating the detainees inside paddy wagons.

The Media Freedom Coalition pointed out to the Georgian authorities the unlawful actions against the media at the protest action in Tbilisi on February 2. The human rights defenders also condemned the Georgian authorities’ pressure on journalists.

“On February 1, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili publicly attacked the ‘Publica’ independent online publication after it posted the information about a rally planned for February 2 near the ‘Tbilisi Mall’ shopping centre. Shalva Papuashvili claimed on Facebook* that the ‘Publica’ publication was allegedly ‘advertising’ criminal offenses,” the human rights defenders stated.

The Media Freedom Coalition believes that the Shalva Papuashvili’s statement is another attempt to interfere with the editorial policy of independent media.

During the protest action which took place in Tbilisi on February 2, law enforcers were interfering with the work of journalists and were insulting them. The police unlawfully obstructed the work of “April’ media employees Vakho Kareli and Nate Uridiya. Law enforcers used violence against journalist Deya Mamiseishvili. Niko Kokaiya, a “Pirveli TV” cameraman, was injured while covering the unlawful detention. He was brought to a hospital. The police also attempted to use force against members of the “Pirveli TV” crew, the TV Channel reported.

Deputy head of the Chief Criminal Investigation Department Mirza Kezevadze took a mobile phone from a journalist of the “Pirveli TV” Channel and damaged it. Law enforcers tried to seize a microphone from a journalist of the “Formula” TV Channel. Policemen also beat up “MediaChecker” journalist Niniya Kakabadze.

*On March 21, 2022, the Tverskoi Court of Moscow banned the activities in Russia of the Meta Company, owning the Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, in connection with extremist activities.