Shalva Papuashvili is trying to discredit and intimidate “Sinatle Media”
The Speaker of Parliament from "Georgian Dream", Shalva Papuashvili, responded to a report aired on the pro-government TV channel Imedi targeting the association of independent online media outlets, Light Media, attempting to discredit and intimidate them.
The Prime Minister of “Georgian Dream,” Irakli Kobakhidze, is attempting to discredit and intimidate independent online media outlets
On November 24, the Prime Minister of Georgian Dream, Irakli Kobakhidze, stated that “associations funded from foreign countries are acting against the development of our country.”
The Parliament revoked the accreditation of a journalist from the TV “Formula”
On November 24, the Parliament suspended the accreditation of Dea Badzagua, a journalist for the investigative program “Shabatis Formula” of the TV “Formula,” for one month. The suspension of accreditation was requested by the “Georgian Dream” MP Maia Bitadze.
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Physical injuryPhysical injury
GYLA: Mzia Amaghlobeli’s eyesight problem is reaching an alarming level
According to the Young Lawyers’ Association of Georgia (GYLA), the eyesight condition of Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti,” is at an alarming level. The organization notes that Mzia Amaghlobeli has not undergone the necessary examinations and, to date, has not received proper consultation from a doctor, which is essential for maintaining eyesight and planning treatment.
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Legal incidentLegal incident
The judge dismissed Mzia Amaghlobeli’s lawsuit against Irakli Kobakhidze
On November 24, the Tbilisi City Court dismissed the case of Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti,” against the Georgian Dream Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze. In the lawsuit, Mzia Amaghlobeli sought a denial from Irakli Kobakhidze of the false accusations he made about her.
Shalva Papuashvili is trying to discredit “Mtis Ambebi”
On November 24, the Speaker of Parliament from “Georgian Dream,” Shalva Papuashvili, accused the online media outlet “Mtis Ambebi” of hiding finances. He said that donors, by funding “Mtis Ambebi,” are financing xenophobia. This is how Shalva Papuashvili responded to a question from a pro-government television station about “Mtis Ambebi.” The journalist was asking Papuashvili about “Mtis Ambebi’s” coverage of the Eagle Hills project. Eagle Hills has been presented by the “Georgian Dream” government as an unprecedented, multimillion-dollar project.
“TV Pirveli” journalist Giorgi Mamniashvili was fined 3,000 GEL by a judge
“TV Pirveli” journalist Giorgi Mamniashvili, who was accused by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of minor hooliganism and disobeying a lawful police order, was fined 3,000 GEL by Judge Zviad Tsekvava.
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Seizure or confiscation of equipment
“TV Pirveli” journalist had their mobile phone confiscated in court
In November, at the Zugdidi District Court, a “TV Pirveli” journalist had their mobile phone confiscated. According to the television company, the journalist was only allowed to attend the court hearing after the court’s security service sealed their phone. “As an alternative, they were only offered paper and a pen,” stated TV Pirveli.
The Penitentiary Service discredits “TV Pirveli” and “Formula”
On November 16, the Penitentiary Service released a public statement accusing the media outlets TV Pirveli and Formula of disseminating false information. The agency responded to stories circulated in the media, where prisoners spoke about the unbearable conditions in the prison, and their family members asked the Public Defender (Ombudsman) to start an urgent monitoring of the penitentiary system. They also demanded that the Ombudsman establish how many medical personnel serve the Gldani Prison and who is responsible for the spoiled food brought into the facility.
Persecution based on professional grounds | Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
InterferenceSuspension of accreditation
The Parliament suspended the accreditation of a journalist from the TV “Formula” for a period of one month
On November 12, Tiko Eradze released a video filmed in the Parliament's Plenary Hall, where she recorded "Georgian Dream" MP Eka Chichinadze listening to a video recording on her phone from the lodge designated for journalists. Shortly after the video was published, Tiko Eradze herself posted on Facebook, expressing her assumption that her accreditation would be suspended.
