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Prosecutor’s Office Does Not Investigate Oppression on Journalists

November 30, 2011

Gela Mtivlishvili

Public Defender of Georgia Giorgi Tugushi has sent two recommendations to the chief prosecutor Murtaz Zodelava this week. The Ombudsman requested the prosecutor to investigate oppression facts on journalists but the Prosecutor’s Office does not respond to any fact.

On November 28, the Public Defender of Georgia petitioned to the Chief Prosecutor of Georgia to study the information provided by the representatives of the Newspaper “Batumelebi” in order to resolve the case and achieve effective result.

According to the newspaper Batumelebi, on November 20, 2011 the director of the newspaper Mzia Amaglobeli estimated the person who had blackmailed Tedo Jorbenadze, coordinator of their journalistic investigation team. They called patrol police who did not file any protocols on the place.

Representatives of the “Batumelebi” petitioned to the prosecutor of the Adjara Autonomous Republic and Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.

Reportedly, on November 25, 2009 Tedo Jorbenadze was summoned to the Batumi MIA office by strangers. Colleagues also accompanied Jorbenadze to the MIA office. The strangers showed photos to Jorbenadze and alleged that he was on those photos. They demanded him to meet them next day otherwise they threatened him with publishing photos and videos.

“In accordance to official correspondence, on February 18, 2010 investigative part of the Adjara Autonomous Republic started preliminary investigation on abuse of power by law enforcement officers under Article 333 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. Unfortunately, the investigation process has not finished yet,” said Giorgi Tugushi.

On November 24, the Public Defender recommended the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate oppression on me but the Prosecutor’s Office has not responded to the fact yet.

The statement of the Ombudsman reads: “According to the journalist of the Human Rights Center Gela Mtivlishvili, on November 6, 2011, he received a minatory mail on his personal e-mail from the former prosecutor of the Kakheti Regional Prosecutor’s Office. The journalist connected the fact with his journalistic activities. On November 11 Gela Mtivlishvili petitioned to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia. On November 24, 2011 the Public Defender got interested in the activities of the Chief Prosecutor’s Office regarding the petition and requested detailed information about ongoing procedures. The Ombudsman believes the Prosecutor shall take prompt and effective measures to impartially investigate the fact.”

The press-center of the Chief Prosecutor’s Office does not comment why they do not adequately respond to the oppression facts on journalists.

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