Persecution based on professional grounds

Journalists Repeatedly Face Restrictions on Access to Georgia’s Parliament

On February 4, 2025, the Parliament of Georgia imposed a “Yellow” (elevated) security level that restricted journalists’ access to the parliamentary building. The measure is connected with the presentation of Georgian Dream’s President, Mikheil Kavelashvili.

According to the Parliament’s statement, “Only two accredited crews from each TV broadcaster/ TV outlet will be allowed access to the Parliament until the conclusion of the parliamentary event.”

Under this security level, entry is granted only to individuals specifically invited by the relevant structural units and to accredited TV journalists.

Similar restrictions on journalists were imposed several times throughout 2024.

Shalva Papuashvili threatens the independent online media outlet Publika

On February 1, Shalva Papuashvili, leader of the Georgian Dream party, accused the online publication Publika of announcing the commission of a criminal offense.

Papuashvili made this statement in response to a Facebook post published by Publika about a protest planned for February 2 near Tbilisi Mall. The protest is being held with demands for the immediate release of political prisoners and new elections.

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics responded to the ruling party leader’s accusation against the media: “The repressive policy of Georgian Dream towards independent media reached a new level on February 1 when Shalva Papuashvili manipulatively linked the media’s professional duty to the hastily adopted amendment restricting the right to assembly (Government Decree #361, passed on January 31) and started talking about criminal liability,”the statement reads.

The Media Advocacy Coalition also expressed support for Publika: “Georgian Dream is particularly attacking independent outlets that uphold high professional standards in the Georgian media landscape. We stand with Publika!” the statement says.

During the coverage of the December 6-7 protest, Journnalists were detained, injured, or faced obstruction in their professional work

On December 7, in Tbilisi, on Besiki Street, masked individuals violently attacked the TV Pirveli crew, journalist Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli. The incident occurred while the crew was broadcasting live. They were reporting on how masked individuals were ambushing and attacking citizens. In the video footage from the scene, an unknown masked individual is seen sneaking up behind Maka Chikhladze, grabbing her, and throwing her to the ground. Cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli was kicked in the head. The crew required medical assistance after the attack. “They took the microphone, took the camera, hit both of us, and shouted, ‘What are you reporting, you bastards?’ The police were standing right here, at this spot, when it happened. They failed to react and just walked away. We were attacked and beaten. They’re marauders in black masks,” said Maka Chikhladze.

On December 7, a journalist from Palitranews who was filming the dispersal of the protest with a mobile phone, was obstructed by riot police. In a video footage shared by Mtavari Arkhi, the journalist states that they were broadcasting live when the officer seized their phone and threw it away. At the time, the journalist was wearing an identification badge clearly indicating their media affiliation.

In the early hours of December 7 Mtavari Arkhi journalist and host Beka Korshia was detained during a protest. According to the TV channel, Korshia was physically assaulted during the arrest. “Beka Korshia was detained on Elbakidze, where the riot police unit were simply moving. His arrest was entirely unlawful. Afterwards, he was kept out of contact for four hours, and we were unable to reach him or gather any information. We were also denied the opportunity to exercise his right to legal defense,” Korshia’s lawyer stated.

At the protest, riot police verbally harassed Mtavari Arkhi journalist Dea Mamiseishvili.

On the morning of December 7, the JRC filming crew was covering the encirclement of peaceful protestors and the violent arrest of demonstrators by police forces when members of the riot police obstructed their work and attempted to detain them. JRC has released video footage of the incident.

On December 7, Caucasian Knot correspondent Beslan Kmuzov was detained by riot police while reporting. Kmuzov said he was detained after taking a photo of riot police who were aligned on Shota Rustaveli avenue. Riot police confiscated Kmuzov’s phone. The court imposed a fine of 2,000 GEL on the journalist and he was released on December 9.

On the morning of December 7, the JRC filming crew was covering the encirclement of peaceful protestors and the violent arrest of demonstrators by police forces when members of the special forces obstructed their work and attempted to detain them. JRC has released video footage of the incident.

Founder and Director of Batumelebi detained on criminal charges

On January 14, 2025, Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder and director of the independent online magazine Gazeti Batumelebi, was remanded in custody by the Batumi City Court.

The investigation against Mzia Amaghlobeli continues under Article 353¹ of the Criminal Code. This article refers to an attack on a police officer, a member of the special penitentiary service, another representative of the authorities, or a public institution, which is punishable by imprisonment for a term of 4 to 7 years.

Late on the night of January 11, Mzia Amaghlobeli was arrested twice. Initially, she was detained for posting a sticker on the police station door saying “Georgia Is Going On Strike.” Within a few hours of her arrest, she was released on the basis of a written statement. However, shortly after her release, she was re-arrested on charges related to a scuffle involving police and protesters, which prompted provocative actions from the police.

As reported by Netgazeti, the incident preceded confrontations and clashes between protesters and police, leading to provocative actions from the police.

The TV Pirveli crew was physically violently attacked by masked individuals

On December 5-6, two journalists had their work obstructed, and one journalist was physically assaulted

On December 6, while covering a peaceful protest near the Parliament building in Tbilisi, the riot police illegally obstructed the journalistic work of journalists from online media outlet Publika – Natia Amiranashvili and Basti Mgaloblishvili. According to Publika, the journalists were filming the arrests of protesters when some officers tried to seize their phones.
On December 6, While covering a protest near the Blue Gallery, Publika journalist Mindia Gabadze was physically attacked by an unknown individual. A video shows bystanders urging the police to detain the attacker, but the officers failed to take action. Gabadze sustained facial injuries and stated that he had informed the attacker he was a journalist, but the assault continued regardless. He had also been injured earlier, on November 29, while reporting on the dispersal of a peaceful protest.

On December 3-4, 5 media representatives were injured, and their work was obstructed while covering the protest

On December 4, during the dispersal of the protest, TV Formula cameraman Tedo Kvachakhia was injured by tear gas. He received on-site medical assistance from emergency personnel.
On December 4, during the protest on Rustaveli Avenue, the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel cameraman Beso Gaprindashvili was injured, suffering a hand injury, and was taken to a clinic. According to the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel, he was hit by fireworks.
On December 4, according to Formula TV, the channel’s journalist, Luka Tkebuchava, was intentionally targeted twice with a gas capsule by the riot police.
On December 4, TV Pirveli journalist Nanuka Kajaia was verbally and physically assaulted by riot police near the Courtyard by Marriott hotel. In addition, the riot police damaged the TV station’s camera.
On December 4, Formula TV journalist Salome Bokuchava was attacked by an officer dressed in black near the Courtyard by Marriott hotel. The officer, who was not wearing the proper insignia, tried to obstruct her journalistic work. She was reporting on the arrest of opposition politicians Aleko Elisashvili and Zurab Datunashvili by the criminal police.

On December 2-3, 7 media representatives were injured, and their work was obstructed while covering the protest

On December 3, during the dispersal of the protest on Rustaveli Avenue, after the riot police used a gas capsule, the TV station’s filming crew was injured – journalist Teona Khubulava and two cameramen, Levan Kartvelishvili and Badri Gamrekelashvili. They received medical assistance on-site from emergency medical personnel.
On December 3, investigative reporter Nino Ramishvili from the media outlet Studio Monitor was filming the beating of a protester when the riot police took away her phone. According to the journalist, she was wearing a press identification badge and had repeatedly informed the officers that she was a journalist, but her phone was not returned.
On December 3, during the dispersal of the protest, the TV Pirveli’s station’s broadcasting equipment was severely damaged, including a camera used for live transmission.
On December 3, Natalie Chkhartishvili from Chaikhana had her Handycam taken from her while she was filming the detention of protesters. She was also yelled at to turn off the camera.
On December 3, Mtavari Arkhi cameraman Givi Mchedlishvili fell unwell while working. During the live broadcast, the channel’s journalist, Dea Mamiseishvili, can be heard asking the protesters if anyone can help the cameraman.
On December 3, according to information provided to MediaChecker, JRC cameraman Bakari Kvavadze was struck in the thigh by a gas capsule.

During the coverage of the November 30 – December 1 protests, 9 members of the media were detained, injured, or obstructed in their professional work

On December 1, 2024, during the dispersal of a peaceful protest near the Parliament building, 9 representatives of various media outlets were injured. Over the course of three days, a total of 52 journalists, cameramen, and photographers were injured or hindered in their professional activities.

According to publicly available information:

Irakli Gedenidze, a photojournalist from the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel was injured during the protest. First Channel reported that he was injured by pyrotechnics.

“Mtavari Arkhi” reported that a police officer directed aggressive and offensive language at journalist Keta Tsitskishvili.

Giorgi Shetsiruli, a cameraman for TV Pirveli, was injured while working live on air. According to the TV station, he sustained a serious leg injury and was taken to the clinic.

TV “Formula” reported that their crew got injured by a water cannon, which was used to disperse the protest.

The cameraman from TV “Formula” was also injured during the protest. He reportedly became ill after the gas, which was used to disperse the protest.

Beka Beradze, a producer for Radio Tavisupleba, was beaten and temporarily detained. He was near the protest when he was surrounded by the police. Beradze told his lawyer that he informed the officers he was a journalist, but they still arrested him.

According to the online media platform On.ge, photographer Nikoloz Tabukashvili was arrested during the protest.

Mirian Meladze, a photographer from the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel, was reportedly injured on Rustaveli Avenue by what is believed to have been a rubber bullet.