The Media Advocacy Coalition reckons that the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs should swiftly investigate the verbal and physical attacks on journalists by clergymen.
Yesterday, on May 8, 2021, Mtavari Arkhi TV reported about yet another instance of illegal intrusion into journalistic activities. According to the information, Anton Bulukhia, the Metropolitan of Vani and Baghdati, verbally abused Irakli Vachiberadze, Mtavari Arkhi TV journalist, during the filming and then threatened him. Additionally, he prohibited Vachiberadze from entering his diocese and ultimately physically assaulted him.
Despite numerous attacks by clerics, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has yet to respond, and the Patriarchate of Georgia has yet to provide any clarification regarding these facts that contain signs of crime.
The Coalition disapproves of assaults on journalists by religious officials and insists on a halt to the pattern of harassing journalists.
The Media Coalition urges Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs to assess quickly the incidents of journalists being targeted by religious officials. Among others, they must investigate the aggression and unlawful obstructions in the journalistic activity of Mtavari Arkhi TV’s Irakli Vachiberadze.
