Over 200 media representatives have called on the General Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia to launch an investigation into the violence against dozens of journalists by right-wing activists at the Tbilisi Pride counter rally on July 5.
Journalists have also called on the General Prosecutor’s Office to disclose the source of funding for right-wing media outlet Alt-Info.
A total of 53 journalists and employees of various media outlets were injured while covering the rally of right wing activists against the Tbilisi Pride march on July 5.
Journalists also have called on the General Prosecutor’s Office to disclose the source of funding for right-wing media outlet Alt-Info.
Formula TV journalist Vakho Sanaia said in carrying out the searches today, the Georgian government is trying to show the public that it is ‘doing something’ about the case, but the Interior Ministry will have to detain ‘members of their own organized groups’.
Following our [journalists of various media outlets] protests and the response of the international community, the Georgian government started to create a background as if it is doing something… This is actually a retreat. We [journalists] will not stop and will not tolerate, as we have footage where crime is directly visible”, said Sanaia.
Police have taken several instigators of the Tbilisi Pride counter rally in for questioning after searching their homes earlier today.
Among the individuals taken in for questioning are right-wing activist Guram Palavandishvili and his son Aleksandre Palavandishvili.
Police also searched the apartment of the founder of right-wing media outlet Alt-Info Zurab Makharadze, who has also been taken to the police station together with Shota Martinenko, Giorgi Kardava, Irakli Kizilashvili and Koka Morgoshia – all members of Alt-Info.