Judge Prohibits Journalist to Make Notes of Court Hearing on the Palm

Shida Kartli Information Centre journalist Saba Tsitikashvili was prohibited to take notes on a piece of paper at Gori Regional Court hearing September 7.  Tsitsikashvili was attending with a status of a journalist the court hearing of the case of citizens being tried for abusing of the power.

"Judge Nino Gergauli noticed that I was taking notes on a piece of paper; she suspended the process and prohibited me to take notes.  She told me I could only take notes," Saba Tsitsikashvili told media.ge

According to the journalist, he continued taking notes on his palm and received another notice from the Judge. "The court hearing was postponed in several minutes despite the fact that the witnesses to be questioned were present," Tsitsikashvili stressed.

According to the Article 12 of the Organic Law on Court it is prohibited to take video or audio recording during court hearings, unless conducted by the court itself.  The legislation does not prohibit taking notes on a paper, or furthermore on a palm.

Media.ge