Journalists Threatened in Kakheti

Journalists Threatened in Kakheti

Telavi. 24.01.06. “Media News”. According to information of the Media-Club, Zviad Ruadze, journalist of the Kakhetian regional newspaper “Spektri”, is being pressured and threatened.
 
Editor of newspaper “Spektri”, Maia Kalabegashvili, states that the reason for the pressure is an article published in the January 17 - 24 edition named “The Scandal concerning the Hospital and Chief Gynecologist”.

The hospital delivered the narcotic drug “Morph” to Revaz Korganashvili, inhabitant of the village Mashraani in the Signagi region, using false documents according to which Korganashvili is regarded to be a tumor patient.

The article reveals that members of the Korganashvili family were busy with the illegal distribution of the drug. Journalists possess information that Tamila Kakhetelidze, chief gynecologist of the Signagi regional hospital, is involved in the illegal business as well. For the first time, the police mentioned her name in relation to the case in an interview with “Spektri”.
 
The Georgian Media-Club has issued a statement, saying: “Despite the fact that law-enforcement bodies confirm the information, they reacted upon the article. Both Zviad Ruadze and editorial staff members have experienced pressure. The only reason for the threats, according to the editor, is that the issue has been brought out into the public.”

The Media-Club uses the relevant institutions in Kakheti to investigate the case in order to avoid physical and moral harassment against the journalists.