MP Sergo Ratiani Denies Threats against TS Press Journalist

MP Sergo Ratiani of the United National Movement denies information spread by TS Press, which alleges that MP had abused their correspondent Teona Gigauri.

Reporting to Media.Ge Sergo Ratiani said the journalist had called him saying she had a footage which shows that the MP met residents of Kutaisi district villages and offered GEL 250 to them in exchange of attending the April 19 rally in Tbilisi.

 “I told her it was not true and she could not have similar footage. I told her she was a liar. Later I called her back and asked her name to inform the Interagency Commission about the slander,” said Ratiani.
Teona Gigauri claims the MP had intimidated her.

Gigauri said she got hold of footage which proves Ratiani speaking to the population about money; then she called the MP to find out the details.

 “I told him I had the footage  where he was offering 250 lari to people. Hearing that he started insulting me and called a liar. Afterwards he called me back and said I would be punished for that,” the journalist said.

The journalist said she could not completely record their conversation, “when I started recording and I asked him to repeat what he had said but he cut the line.”

After the incident Ratiani and Gigauri did not get in touch with each other.

Gela Bochikashvili, Media.ge