“Mtavari Arkhi” Cameraman, Illegally Detained by Police While Working, Found Guilty of an Offense
On February 10, 2025, Tbilisi City Court found Mtavari Arkhi cameraman Sergi Baramidze guilty of an offense and issued him a verbal warning — despite the fact that he had been assaulted by law enforcement while performing his professional duties.
Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani Temporarily Suspended From Hosting Public Broadcaster’s News Program
On February 4, 2025, The Georgian Public Broadcaster temporarily suspended journalist Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani from hosting the 6:00 PM news program Moambe.
Police Physically Assaulted Journalists at Protest Outside Parliament
On February 4, during a protest held outside the Georgian Parliament building in Tbilisi, police unlawfully obstructed journalists from carrying out their professional duties and physically assaulted three of them:
Vehicle Belonging to “Mtis Ambebi” Intentionally Damaged
On February 4, 2025, Gela Mtivlishvili, founder and editor of the outlet Mtis Ambebi, published a Facebook post revealing that a vehicle belonging to the newsroom was deliberately damaged.
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.
Damage to equipmentPhysical injuryProhibition on filming
At a peaceful protest near Tbilisi Mall 11 journalists were unlawfully prevented from doing their jobs
On February 2, during a peaceful protest held near "Tbilisi Mall," 10 media representatives were unlawfully obstructed from carrying out their professional duties. Some journalists sustained physical injuries.
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.
Attack on propertySeizure or confiscation of equipment
The Ministry of Internal Affairs is not returning the equipment confiscated from the media during the coverage of protests
The Ministry of Internal Affairs is not returning the confiscated equipment to the media — "Publika," the investigative studio "Monitor," and "TV Pirveli" are awaiting its return.
The Prime Minister threatened to expel a journalist from the briefing for asking critical questions
On December 8, 2024, during a press conference at the Government Administration, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze used offensive language toward Telara Gelantia, a journalist and editor from "BMG," for asking critical questions.
