Journalist of Kakheti Information Center Was Beaten

The representatives of Turkish company Umut Inshaat who are building Gurjaani hospital by the order of Insurance Company GPI Holding beat the journalist of Kakheti Information Center Gela Mtivlishvili and did not allow him to film the action. The video camera was damaged during the incident.

Journalist visited the surrounding territory of the hospital under construction to prepare a video reportage. Approximately 40 workers went on strike with the request of salary issuance. As the workers notified the Kakheti Information Center, they have not received salary for 5 months.

The criminal case has been filed on the fact of journalist’s beating. According to the Office of Prosecutor, the investigation was stipulated under the article of bodily injury of Criminal Code.

As the Office of Prosecutor explains if the investigation reveals that the journalist has not been injured the case will be qualified according to the relevant offence.

Kakheti Information Center considers that the case should have been stipulated according to article 154 of the Criminal Code which envisages hindering professional activity of journalist. The video material covering the crime was disseminated by Kakheti Information Center on the same day.

The facts of pressure against journalists have increased in the recent period. The public officials who exercised pressure against journalists and hindered their journalistic activity still hold their jobs and have not even received a reproof. None of the facts of assault have been investigated.

The officials of Kakheti Information Center are going to hold a protest rally regarding the violations of journalists’ right in the nearest future at the Administration of Kakheti Governor.

Kakheti Information Center