Physical violence

Special Tasks Department Officers Physically Confront TV Pirveli Cameraman

On June 3, 2025, officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Special Tasks Department physically confronted TV Pirveli cameraman Sergi Baramidze.

In a video released by the television station, the cameraman is seen filming when a man—reportedly a security officer from the department—approaches him and attempts to forcibly remove him from the area. It’s important to note that the TV Pirveli crew was not on the department’s premises but outside the perimeter.

According to journalist Nanuka Kajaia, the incident occurred after the crew asked a question regarding Zviad Kharazishvili, head of the Special Tasks Department, also known as “Kharabe.” The TV Pirveli team was trying to find out whether Kharazishvili was affected by the recent staffing changes at the Ministry of Internal Affairs following the appointment of the new minister, Gela Geladze.

Journalists from Adjara Times and the Public Broadcaster Confronted by Georgian Dream Activists

On March 20, 2025, in the city of Batumi, Adjara Times director Sulkhan Meskhiadze and Public Broadcaster journalist Lia Toklikishvili — from the investigative program Investigative Reporter — were confronted by activists from the ruling party Georgian Dream while attempting to report on construction safety issues.

“I was filming in ‘Dream Town’ with the Public Broadcaster’s investigative team. Shortly after we arrived, several individuals approached and demanded we stop filming. They began obstructing us — verbally confronting us, and in some cases even using physical force. They tried to push us out of the area and prevent us from recording footage,” Sulkhan Meskhiadze told Batumelebi.

The Media Advocacy Coalition responded to the incident, stating:
“These attacks on the media are part of a broader policy by Georgian Dream aimed at silencing critical voices and restricting the free flow of information. The regime’s hostile rhetoric against the media, combined with the inaction of law enforcement, creates an environment where violence against journalists goes unpunished.”

This is not the first time that media representatives in Batumi’s “Dream Town” have been unlawfully obstructed by Georgian Dream activists or their affiliates while carrying out their professional duties.

Police Officers Push Journalist from April News at Protest

On March 28, 2025, during a protest taking place in front of the parliament, police officers obstructed a journalist from the online media outlet April from performing her professional duties.

April‘s journalist, Nata Uridia, was recording the protest on her mobile phone when police officers shoved her. In a video released by April, a police officer can be seen telling the journalist, “Step aside,” before shoving her.

From the start of the protests on November 28, 2024, until March 28, 2025, a total of 154 cases of violations of media representatives’ rights during protests have been documented.

TV Channel ‘Trialeti’ Crew Attacked

On April 17, 2025, TV channel Trialeti—journalist Shorena Bichikashvili and cameraman Soso Mchedlishvili—was attacked by a local resident in the village of Adzvi, located near the occupation line. The attacker verbally and physically assaulted them while they were performing their professional duties.

According to the journalist, the local resident verbally abused the crew members and threatened to destroy the camera. When the journalist attempted to record the incident on her phone, the individual tried to seize the phone from her and struck her. The crew called the police, and both were later summoned for questioning by the Special Investigative Service.

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics condemned the attack on the TV crew and called on the Special Investigative Service to carry out a prompt investigation.

British journalist Will Neal Has Been Denied Entry into Georgia

On May 20, 2025 British journalist Will Neal has been denied entry into Georgia, where he has lived since 2022.

Will Neal is freelance journalist. On March 31 of this year, Neal published an investigatigation about Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich’s UK-registered companies and their connections to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the Georgian Dream party.

The expulsion follows a hate campaign led by pro-government politicians and media outlets in response to Neal’s investigation into Georgian circles of power, as press freedom continues to deteriorate in the country.

The international organization Reporters Without Borders has issued a article regarding the journalist being denied entry at the border, saying: “The expulsion follows a hate campaign led by pro-government politicians and media outlets in response to Neal’s investigation into Georgian circles of power, as press freedom continues to deteriorate in the country.“

This is not the first time journalists have been denied entry to Georgia.

Crew of “TV Pirveli” Attacked and Equipment Seized

On May 12, 2025, in Kvemo Kartli, a journalist and a cameraman from TV Pirveli, who were investigating the resignation of former Deputy Governor Giorgi Shinjikashvili, were physically attacked by the former official’s father.

According to the journalist, Mariam Makasarashvili, Shinjikashvili’s father slapped her in the face and physically attacked the channel’s cameraman as well. At the same time, he seized the TV station’s camera and the journalist’s personal mobile phone, which were returned only after 40 minutes. As a result of the attack, the journalist suffered a concussion and required medical assistance.

The crew immediately called the police. According to the broadcaster, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs arrived an hour and 20 minutes later. The Special Investigative Service has launched an investigation into the incident.

According to the Media Advocacy Coalition, the incident “once again clearly highlights the critical state of media freedom and safety in the country.”

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.

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.