November 28 – December 13, 2024
Since November 28, there have been over 90 documented cases of interference with media’s professional activities while covering Pro-European demonstrations. The riot police and members of violent groups have targeted and physically assaulted reporters, cameramen and photographers.
Incidents from night of 12-13 December
Freelance photographer Luka Gviniashvili. Was given a 7-day sentence on December 13. His lawyer, Eka Kobesashvili, believes that the photographer, who cooperates with the various foreign media and provides them with photos of the propests taking place in Georgia, was detained in connection with his professional activities. He was spied at and stalked for several days. Those who detained him on the Napareuli street, after he left his friend’s house, were dressed in black and were not wearing any police insignia. They chased Luka Gviniashvili, who, since he did not know who they were, asked patrol police for help. The car, in which man in black put the detained photographer, did not belong to the Ministry of Interior (link to report #1; link to report#2).
Incidents from the night of 7-8 December
TV Pirveli (TV Channel)
Maka Chikhladze, journalist. Was attacked by masked individuals while live on air from Besiki street perpendicular to the Rustaveli avenue. At that moment, she and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli were filming a large group of masked individuals (up to 30 men) beating protesters. Attackers shouted at the camera crew, “You bitches, what are you filming”. One of them then grabbed the journalist by the neck and threw her to the ground. Maka Chikhladze was kicked repeatedly.
Giorgi Shetsiruli, cameraman. Was attacked along with Maka Chikhladze. The cameraman was nocked to the ground, repeatedly kicked in head and stomach and had his head stomped.
Both the journalist and the cameraman were hospitalized with brain concussions, cuts and severe bruising. Patrol police, which was nearby during the incident, did not intervene to protect the camera crew.
Incidents from the night of 6-7 December
Mtavari Arkhi (TV channel)
Beka Korshia, journalist and presenter. Was detained unlawfully and without any grounds. For four hours, his whereabouts were unknown to his family, lawyer and colleagues. On December 8, he was fined with GEL 2,200 for an administrative offence and freed.
Dea Mamiseishvili, journalist. A Special Forces officer verbally insulted her and threw some object at her.
Palitra News (TV channel)
Mariam Maziashvili, journalist. A Special Forces officer smashed her phone. At that moment, she was reporting live. Mariam Maziashvili said he did not want her to film and he knew she was a journalist as she showed him her press credentials.
TOK.tv (TV channel)
Natia Kuprashvili, journalist. Special Forces officers have obstructed her from doing her job as Natia Kuprashvili was filming them detaining a protester. The officers attempted to detain her as well.
Kavkazskii Uzel/Кавказский Узел (Russian language online media)
Beslan Kmuzov. Was detained when taking photos. Police took away his phone. Beslan Kmuzov was freed next day and fined with GEL 2,000.
Incidents from 6 December
Publika (online media)
Mindia Gabadze, journalist. Was attacked and beaten up by masked individuals, when reporting on the protest rally near Arts Gallery on the Rustaveli avenue. Sustained brain concussion and bruises. Patrol police, which was nearby during the incident, allowed the attackers flee.
Incidents from the night of 5-6 December
Publika (online media)
Natia Amiranashvili, journalist.
Basti Mgaloblishvili, journalist.
Police officers have asked them to leave the territory when the journalists were filming them detaining protesters. One of the officers attempted to snitch thier phone.
Incidents from the night of 4-5 December
TV Pirveli (TV channel)
Nanuka Kadjaia, journalist
Papuna Khachidze, cameraman
Police broke a camera belonging to TV Pirveli as the camera crew was broadcasting live a standoff at the entrance of Courtyard Marriot between the representatives of opposition political parties and masked individuals. These individuals have physically assaulted Nanuka Kajaia.
Incidents from the night of 3-4 December
TV Formula (TV channel)
Tedo Kvachakhia, cameraman. Got injured in the head. Prior to that, he suffered from tear gaz. Was treated by an ambulance crew on spot and hospitalized with brain concussion.
Salome Bokuchava, journalist. Was pushed away and obstructed by a police in front of Courtyard Marriott.
Luka Tkebuchava, journalist. Was hit by two gas capsules.
Misho Martashvili, cameraman, was working along with Luka Tkebuchava.
First Channel by Public Broadcaster
Beso Gaprindashvili, cameraman. Got his hand injured by fireworks, which were thrown at him. Was treated by an ambulance crew on spot and later transferred to the clinic.
Incidents from the night of 2-3 December
Studio Monitor (investigative journalism platform)
- Nino Ramishvili, journalist. Special Forces Officers have prevented her from doing her professional duties and expropriated the phone, knowing that she was a journalist.
First Channel by Public Broadcaster
- Teo Khubulava, journalist. Got injured when police fired gas capsules on Rustaveli avenue. Received medical assistance on spot.
- Levan Kartvelishvili, cameraman. Got injured when police fired gas capsules on Rustaveli avenue. Received medical assistance on spot.
- Badri Gamrekelashvili, cameraman. Got injured when police fired gas capsules on Rustaveli avenue. Received medical assistance on spot.
Mtavari Arkhi (TV Channel)
- Givi Mtchedlishvili, cameraman: allegedly injured and required medical assistance.
Chaikhana (online media)
Natali Chakhartishvili. Police obstructed her from filming. Under physical pressure, she dropped Handycam.
Unidentified journalist. The footage by Natali Chkhartishvili shows how police interferes with a person, allegedly a journalist.
TOK.tv (TV channel)
Bakar Kvavadze, cameraman. Was hit by a gas capsule in leg.
Media unknown
Fiodor Khudokormov, journalist working for Russian language media in exile. Was pushed by a masked man, allegedly a police officer, on Tchtchinadze street.
Incidents from the night of 1-2 December
Rustavi 2 (TV channel)
- Giorgi Nergadze, cameraman: Injured in the area surrounding the parliament; inhaled gas released at the rally; treated by emergency doctors; condition reported as satisfactory.
- Tamta Chitishvil, journalist: Injured in the area surrounding the parliament; Suffered a leg injury.
TV Pirveli (TV channel)
- Niko Kokaia, cameraman: Required first aid.
- Mariam Makasarashvili, journalist: Injured alongside Kokaia (as reported by the “Media Ombudsman”)
Publika (online media)
- Natia Amiranashvili, journalist: Physically assaulted by police while performing her professional duties; Pushed against a wall, during which her phone was thrown.
“Mautskebeli” (online media)
- Giorgi Chagelishvili, journalist: Detained during the crackdown on citizens in the Rustaveli metro; Indicated to police that he was a journalist, but his bag was searched.
OC Media (online media)
- Mariam Nikuradze, co-founder and journalist: Held in a cloud of tear gas; Thrown against a wall like a camera; Reported damage to her camera screen.
Media Aprili (online media)
- Giorgi Baskhajauri, journalist: Attacked by a police officer while filming the arrest of protesters on Chavchavadze Street; The officer tried to take his phone and chased him into an alley.
First Channel by Public Broadcaster
- Mirian Meladze, photojournalist. Posted a photo of his injured leg on Facebook, stating the incident occurred three days earlier. The photojournalist was told by the doctor that his injury resembles what one could sustain if hit by a rubber bullet (link to report by Public Broadcaster; link to report by Netgazeti).
- Vano Gorgishvili, photojournalist. Netgazeti reported that he believes he was injured in leg by a rubber bullet (link to report by Netgazeti).
Incidents from the night of 30 November – 1 December
TV Pirveli (TV channel)
- Giorgi Shetsiruli, cameraman: He was taken to the clinic with a leg injury (link to footage).
First Channel by Public Broadcaster
- Irakli Gedenidze, photojournalist: He was allegedly hit in the leg by pyrotechnics. An emergency medical team provided him with assistance on the spot (link to footage).
POSTV (TV channel)
- Guranda Bilikhodze: Allegedly hit by a gas capsule fired by special forces (link to footage).
Formula TV (TV channel)
- Unnamed cameraman: The incident was reported live on air by Mtavari Arkhi journalist (link to footage).
- Camera crew. Was hit by a water cannon (link to footage)
On. ge (online media)
- Nikoloz Tabukashvili, photographer: Administratively detained, as reported by the online publication (https://on.ge/story/137525)
Mtavari Arkhi (TV channel)
Keta Tsitskishvili, journalist. Was verbally assaulted by a police officer.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Beka Beradze, producer. Police detained him close to the protest rally when he was off duty. After police officers learned that he was a journalist, they beat him up with extreme cruelty.
Incidents from the night of 29-30 November
TV Pirveli (TV Channel)
- Mariam Gaprindashvili, journalist: Physically assaulted on Chitadze Street by special forces officers; suffered a serious head injury, lost consciousness, and required hospitalization and surgery; diagnosed with a concussion (link to footage, another footage)
- Papuna Khachidze, cameraman: Physically assaulted alongside Mariam Gaprindashvili.
Realpolitik (online media)
- Aka Zarkua, journalist: Verbally and physically assaulted by about ten special forces officers at the intersection of Shevchenko and Zubalashvili streets. Officers kicked him while their commander tried to force his press ID card into his mouth. His gas mask was confiscated by police. Detailed his experience on Facebook. Video footage of Formula TV shows the assault. (links to footage 1 and footage 2)
Publika (online media)
- Ana Mskhaladze, journalist: Physically assaulted by special forces while filming violent detentions near Chichinadze Street. Police made her drop her phone, struck her in the head when she bent to pick it up, and then confiscated her phone.
Formula TV (TV Channel)
- Giorgi Kvizhinadze, journalist: Physically assaulted by special forces;
- Formula TV crew in Batumi (names not known): Their equipment was damaged while covering the ongoing protest in Batumi (link to footage).
- Tamar Tediashvili, journalist: Reported during a live broadcast that police used force to arrest a photographer and forcibly placed him in a police car (link to footage).
- Nutsa Bakhutashvili, journalist. The journalist was hit in the back (the video footage shows journalist running away and shouting to the police that she is leaving and to let her go, while the police seemingly hitting her in the back anyway (link to footage)
- Irakli Bartava, cameraman. Chased and beaten along with his colleague Nutsa Bakhutashvili (see footage above)
Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe:
- Dato Koridze reporter: Physically assaulted during the rally (link to report).
Other cases:
- Giorgi Gamgebeli, freelance photographer: Physically assaulted, sustaining injuries to his face and leg; required hospitalization. His equipment was broken, and he was robbed.
Incidents from the night of 28-29 November
TV Pirveli (TV channel)
- Nanuka Kajaia, journalist: Water cannons were aimed at her and her respondent during a live broadcast (link to footage)
- Davit Bichikashvili, cameraman: Injured by water cannon (link to footage)
- Giorgi Shetsiruli, cameraman: Physically assaulted by a representative of the special forces (link to footage)
- Anna Mdivani, journalist: Pepper spray was sprayed in her face causing her to have a seizure (link to footage)
- Niko Kokaia, cameraman: Pepper spray was sprayed in his face more than once (link to footage).
Mtavari Arkhi (TV channel)
- Dea Mamiseishvili, journalist: injured with chemical substances.
- Giorgi Goginashvili, cameraman: injured with chemical substances.
- Keta Tsitskishvili, journalist: Police interfered with her professional activities and verbally abused.
- Davit Kobidze, journalist: Police interfered with his professional activities.
- Luka Bachilava, cameraman: Police interfered with his professional activities.
Formula TV (TV channel)
- Guram Rogava, journalist: Physically assaulted by a special forces officer, resulting in broken facial bones and a fractured collarbone. Prior physical abuse, police forcibly removed him from the area during a live broadcast (link to footage).
- Giorgi Kvizhinadze, journalist: sprayed with chemical substance (link to footage).
- Tedo Kvachakhia, cameraman: sprayed with chemical substance.
- Khatia Samkharadze, journalist: sprayed with pepper spray (link to footage).
Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe (online media)
- Davit Tsagareli, journalist: Hit in the stomach by a masked riot police officer during a live broadcast and knocked to the ground (link to footage).
- Salome Chaduneli, journalist: Injured near Kashveti; her leg was lacerated.
- Ilia Ratiani, cameraman: Prevented from performing their professional duties and received minor physical damage
- Zuka Khidasheli, cameraman: Prevented from performing their professional duties and received minor physical damage.
Publika (online media)
- Alexander Keshelashvili, journalist: Arrested, beaten in the face and head, and had work equipment confiscated; nose surgery was required (link to footage)
- Natia Amiranashvili, journalist: Had her phone thrown away and was not allowed to work (link to footage).
- Mindia Gabadze, photojournalist: Injured while performing professional duties (link to footage).
- Basti Mgaloblishvili, journalist: Repeatedly interrupted while working, kicked, and slapped several times (link to report).
OC Media (online media)
- Mariam Nikuradze, journalist and cofounder: Fell down as a result of water cannon spray, had her camera damaged, and her phone was thrown away multiple times. She was also injured by pepper spray (link to footage).
Project 64 (online media)
- Giorgi Gogua, journalist and founder: physically assaulted by police (link to report).
Adjara Television (TV Channel)
- Nino Lorchoshvili, journalist: Injured while covering the rally (link to footage).
Netgazeti / Batumelebi (online media)
- Givi Avaliani, journalist: Pepper spray was sprayed in his face while performing professional duties (link to footage).
JAMnews (online media)
- Yulia Kalabano, photojournalist: Sprayed in the face, pushed down, and kicked (link to photo).
Studia Monitori (investigative journalism platform)
- Nino Tsverava, journalist: Obstructed in performing her professional duties, forcibly removed from the entrance to the Kashveti Church (link to footage).
- Nino Shubitidze, journalist: Sprayed with pepper spray, forcibly removed from the entrance to the Kashveti Church.
- Giorgi Baramidze, cameraman: Kicked by the police.
Rustavi 2 (TV channel)
- Unnamed journalist: Injured by a water cannon (link to footage).
First Channel by Public Broadcaster
- Davit Bezhanishvili, cameraman. He was injured while filming. Footage of his injury during the dispersal of the rally was broadcast live on “Formula” (link to footage).
TOK.tv
Philipe Tsereteli, journalist. Got injured by tear gas. According to him, police threw around five tear gas capsules on Besiki street when there were no protesters, just a group of 5-7 journalists.
Current Times (Russian language broadcast of Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe)
- Giorgi Tchumbutidze, cameraman. Was thrown off a ledge near the parliament building by police.
Other Cases
- Tbel Abuseridze, photographer: Injured while performing professional duties, reported by Media Aprili (link to footage).
- Dominik Reichert, freelancer for RT. Injured while performing professional duties, with a visible eye injury (link to footage).
This statements of GCJE are also available to view online via our website at: www.qartia.ge
For further enquiries and/or media requests, please contact: Lia Chakhunashvili, Executive Director, GCJE at ethicscharter@gmail.com; lia.chakhunashvili@gmail.com or 599 90 22 98.
Sources (in Georgian):
Statement by the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics from December 8
Statement by the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics from December 7
Statement by the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics from December 6
Statement by the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics from December 5
Statement by the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics from December 3
Statement by the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics from December 2
Statement by the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics from December 1
Statement by the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics from November 30
Statement by the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics from November 29 (updated in the afternoon): https://www.qartia.ge/ka/siakhleebi/article/99111
Statement by the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics from November 29 (initial from the morning): https://www.qartia.ge/ka/siakhleebi/article/99105
News by Media Checker:
