“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.
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.
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.
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Physical assaultPhysical injury
The TV Pirveli crew was physically violently attacked by masked individuals
On December 7, in Tbilisi, on Besiki Street, masked individuals violently attacked the TV Pirveli crew, journalist Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli.
