Journalist’s Suit Against Governor Suspended

Journalist’s Suit Against Governor Suspended

Judge Vazha Turashvili should consider the suit brought against Akaki Sikharulidze, the acting Governor of the Gurjaani region. The suit was brought to the Kvareli District Court because of the Gurjaani and Signagi District Courts deliberately avoided the cases brought by the journalist Gela Mtivlishvili.

Gela Mtivlishvili demands the acting Deputy Governor make an apology and a public denial of the compromising and humiliating information that has been spread about him by the local and central media. He also asks for moral compensation. Although the journalist applied to the court on November 30th 2005 with an application, it has not so far been considered.

“The local government makes use of the suspension of the case. They have been asserting for seven months that I am blackmailer, provocateur, extorter, criminal, corrupt and blind journalist. I took them to court for these words in order to assert my rights and for the information to be publicly denied, however, the suit moves from one court to another. Many judges try to avoid the case and the reason is not clear.

The violators still continue with their humiliations and discrimination against me. The local government tries hard to discredit me to the population in the hope that they will lose trust in me. They do not avoid ridiculous statements, such as calling me a terrorist - arranging terror acts against myself.

Even more, the Ombudsman of Georgia accused me of not being interested in the investigation of cases. Despite their attempts, they fail to achieve their aims but the aggression from their side is certainly aggravating. I reckon they will arrange something against me in the nearest future”, states Gela Mtivlishvili.
   
The other day journalist Gela Mtivlishvili was provided with a court decision regarding the suit started by Giorgi Maisuradze, a representative of the Anticorruption Committee, against Mtivlishvili.  According to this decision, Gela Mtivlishvili must publicly deny the information that he disseminated about Giorgi Maisuradze and must pay him 3000 laris. On the other hand, Mamisashvili is obliged to deny the humiliating words he stated publicly about Mtivlishvili and must pay him 650 laris in moral compensation.

“Judge Maisuradze took a non-objective and paradoxical decision. It seems that the judge came to the conclusion in accordance with decisions the European Court had about the media back in 1979- 80. The judge never mentioned the Laws of Georgia on freedom of speech and expression which do not oblige a journalist to name his or her source. However, the judge insisted on this. Furthermore, the judge fined us for spreading public information”, states Lia Khuroshvili, Mtivlishvili’s lawyer. She also added that they would apply to the Court of Appeal.

Mtivlishvili is sure that the judge was under pressure from the local and regional authorities. “I know for sure that the Kakheti governor, the head of the Gurjaani Administration and others are interested in the case. The judge even complained of being involved in the troubles. I do not think that there is a person in Kakheti who dares to take an objective decision.  Despite of all the video taped evidence showing how Sikharulidze assaulted, me I will not be surprised if he gets away with it.  Although justice died long ago, I will try to prove my innocence till the last of my strength. In addition, I warn everybody that I will not allow the dishonoring of the Editorial Office. I will always try to hold violators responsibile”, states Mtivlishvili.

Neither Akaki Sikharulidze - the former head of the Journalists’ Federation nor Nana Ramazashvili, the lawyer with the Gurjaani Administration, who represents his interests, commented on the fact. 

It seems that Kvareli District Court will consider Mtivlishvili’s suit against Sikharulidze next week. Lawyers with the NGOs will attempt to defeat Mtivlishvili’s interests.

Marina Gogoladze from Kakheti