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It is Outrageous to Connect Arrest of Photo Correspondents to Freedom of Media – Manana Manjgaladze

July 8, 2011

President’s Press Speaker Manana Manjgaladze made a comment on detention of photo correspondents. The comment is published on the official website of the President.

“I cannot tell you the details of this very sensitive case, but there is one thing I should make clear: the case concerns a serious infiltration of our institutions, not the journalism or media activities.

It was emphasized that the suspects are the photographers but they were not charged with anything connected to their activity as photographers. They were charged for passing confidential information – written documents in this case, or confidential agendas – to an organization identified as spying network. I am speaking about the charges and it is obvious that it is up to the court to decide. Two of them were state employees – one with a close access to the President. They could as well have been occupying any other position than photographer. In that case, the case would have been handled the same way,” – states President’s Press Speaker.

Besides, Manjgaladze “cannot recall any journalist in Georgia – government supporter or opposition activist – who was ever charged with spying.”

“The people who were detained were not known for their political views and it is outrageous to link their arrest to the freedom of media,” – states the press speaker of Mikheil Saakashvili.

Manana Manjgaladze gave this comment to the internet publication under the control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) – presa.ge.

According to interpressnews

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