Ruling party releases video ‘proving’ Mtavari Arkhi ‘lied’ about alleged attack on cameraman

The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party has released a video depicting opposition-minded Mtavari Arkhi cameraman Levan Ablotia, ‘walking freely at the time the channel claimed he was unconscious.’ 

Mtavari Arkhi head Nika Gvaramia stated yesterday that the channel’s cameraman Ablotia had been attacked and then thrown off the second floor of the GD Kareli office by ruling party activists. 

• Mtavari Arkhi TV accuses ruling party of attacking cameraman, latter denies

He said that Ablotia was unconscious following the incident and was taken to hospital. 

Ruling party MP Mamuka Mdinaradze stated that the ‘footage confirms’ that the channel lied. 

GD has released the video.

The video came without a time stamp. However, Mdinaradze ‘took responsibility’ for assuring the public it was recorded yesterday. 

Ablotia was discharged from hospital earlier today. 

Ablotia himself said that he ‘fell down’ from the second floor of the building after several activities of the ruling party tried to grab his camera. 

I was walking backwards to defend myself and fell down. Actually it was a throwdown because I was unable to keep balance due to the attack of the ruling party activists,” Ablotia said. 

Mtavari Arkhi reported that Ablotia was discharged with ‘multiple fractures and bruises.’ However, doctors said that he ‘had no fractures, only superficial injuries.’ 

GD head Irakli Kobakhidze said that Gvaramia sent journalists to Kareli GD office ‘to stage provocations there,’ and that the channel had a recording which showed that Ablotia fell down himself. 

He says that Mtavari Arkhi ‘deliberately hid the recording to mislead the public.’