Police investigates ‘attempt of attack’ on Russian TV crew
The Russian Foreign Ministry has reported that “aggressive radical elements” attempted to attack a crew of Russia 24 in Tbislii today. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Tweet 
Share
The Georgian Interior Ministry has launched an investigation into an alleged attempt to interfere with the work of a Russian TV company in Tbilisi on Saturday.
A journalist of Russia 24 said he was going to interview the owner of one of the tour companies over the possible affect of the Russian president Vladimir Putin's decision to ban flights to Georgia.
The video provided by the journalist shows that a couple of young men, allegedly Georgians, started to speak rudely with the female owner of the company and later beat her husband, who engaged in their dialogue.
The video shows the Russian journalist standing nearby. However, he was not attacked.
The Russian Foreign Ministry reported on June 22 that “aggressive radical elements” attempted to attack a crew of Russia 24. It also called on the Government of Georgia to ensure the safety of journalists as well as the other Russian citizens who are currently in Georgia.
- Russian president Vladimir Putin has ordered a ban on flights to Georgia as part of Russian state reaction to protest in Tbilisi following a Duma MP's appearance in the Tbilisi parliament on June 20.
- Putin ordered cessation of flights after a date of July 8 while also tasking his government with returning Russian citizens on temporary stay in Georgia and prohibiting Russian tour agencies from organising travels to the country.
Irakli Chikovani, Strategic Communication Advisor to the Prime Minister stated on behalf of the government on June 22 that the Government of Georgia will be utmost principled and protect the country’s sovereignty as well as the economic welfare of its citizens.
He believes that a radical political agenda, both domestic and foreign, equally damages the country’s sovereignty and citizens’ welfare.
The Georgian Interior Ministry has called on demonstrators gathered in front of the parliament on the third consecutive day not to exceed the legal framework of the freedom of expression and to maintain public order.
The Georgian Ministry of Health has denied death of one person who got injured on June 20 when Georgian police dispersed protest rally on Rustaveli Ave. Russian media outlets, namely Euronews Russia, Lenta.ru, REN.TV and others have reported that one of the protestors, injured in eye, died in a hospital.
The Government of Georgia will be utmost principled and protect the country’s sovereignty as well as the economic welfare of its citizens, Irakli Chikovani, Strategic Communication Advisor to the Prime Minister stated. Chikovani made the statement on behalf of the government amid the official Russian reaction to developments in Tbilisi to boycott tourism and trade goods with Georgia.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has ordered a ban on flights to Georgia as part of Russian state reaction to protest in Tbilisi following a Duma MP's appearance in the Tbilisi parliament.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry announced today that the state institutions are fully ensuring public order and safety in the country amid the recent protest rallies in Georgia. It also said, the international community, including the OSCE, has been informed on the steps that the state has taken for ensuring the safety during the protest rallies in front of the parliament of Georgia in Tbilisi and throughout the country.
Over 12,000 Russian citizens have signed an online petition calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to cancel his recent ban on flights between Russia and Georgia. "Allow flights between Georgia and Russia, as Russian citizens in Georgia are in safety. As for the protest rallies – this is the right of the Georgian citizens”, the text of the petition reads.