Lasha Tugushi Could Not Hear Concrete Facts in the MIA Which Could Convince Him in Espionage of Photo-Reporters

On July 13, Georgian journalists met the Minister of Interior Vano Merasbishvili in regard with the photo-reporters’ case.

After meeting, editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Resonance” Lasha Tugushi said they could not hear new concrete arguments that could convince them in the connection between the detained photo-reporters with foreign counter-intelligence officers. He clarified that they heard what they already knew.

According to Lasha Tugushi, the Minister was trying to convince the journalists that they have grounded doubts but did not provide any arguments to prove it.

Editor-in-Chief of the Resonance believes that a little compromise from the MIA about making the trial public, resulted from the journalists’ protest and it should continue,

Tugushi said journalists had several proposals to the Minister, like release of the detainees under vouch but Merabishvili refused. “However, nothing is impossible,” said Tugushi. Their second request was to cancel Top Secret status from the case materials but the Minister told them he agrees with the position of the prosecutor’s office about making the trial public. “We told Merabishvili some time is left before the trial and we want the case to be transparent; he got surprised why the case materials were not public,” said Tugushi and added that according to the minister the trial will be held soon and it will not exceed one month.

Deputy Minister Eka Zguladze and head of Analytic Department Shota Utiashvili also attended the meeting.

Interpresnews