Press freedom activists condemn brutalisation of dozens of journalists at Georgia protest

PICTURE: George Khelashvili/Free Press Unlimited

Free Press Unlimited

The Mapping Media Freedom monitoring platform says at least 50 media workers experienced physical attacks, verbal abuse or obstruction as police in Georgia violently dispersed pro-European Union (EU) demonstrations.

The attack on journalists by state security forces during the protests triggered by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement that Georgia would halt its EU membership negotiations until the end of 2028, appeared to be targeted and deliberate.

Most of the injured journalists were employed by independent and government-critical outlets based in the capital, Tbilisi.

This brutal crackdown on the media in Georgia is not an isolated episode but is part of a disturbing pattern of targeted violence and impunity for crimes against journalists, including those committed during protests earlier this year against the restrictive law on Transparency of Foreign Influence.

Among the injured journalists, Aleksandre Keshelashvili of the independent news outlet Publika.ge was severely beaten and detained while covering the protests. He suffered a broken nose, had his cameras confiscated and required hospitalisation before being released.

Later, the police also physically assaulted Ana Mskhaladze of Publika.ge, striking her on the head and allegedly confiscating her phone.

Guram Rogava of Formula TV was brutally assaulted by riot police, as shown in footage from Radio Tavisupleba and Formula TV, which documented the riot police officer striking him. He sustained serious injuries and was hospitalised.

Beka Beradze, producer of Radio Tavisupleba, was beaten and detained.

Investigative reporter Mariam Gaprindashvili of TV Pirveli suffered a head injury and breathing difficulties after being assaulted, temporarily losing consciousness and requiring 24-hour hospitalisation

Other journalists and camera operators from media outlets including Netgazeti.ge, OC Media, Mtavari Arkhi, JAMNews and others were also targeted. The list of journalists targeted also includes camera operator Davit Bejanishvili from the Georgian Public Broadcaster, who was injured by police.

These incidents underscore the increasingly dangerous environment for journalists in Georgia.

Despite repeated appeals to the Special Investigation Service, crimes against journalists remain largely uninvestigated, perpetuating a culture of impunity. Dozens of journalists have faced verbal and physical assaults or detention in recent months.

The international community must demand that the Georgian government ends its crackdown on the press and upholds its commitments to democratic freedoms and freedom of expression. We once again express our full solidarity with the courageous journalists of Georgia

The undersigned press freedom, freedom of expression and journalists organisations stand in full support of the brave journalists of Georgia who keep doing their essential work of informing the public despite the increasingly hostile and dangerous environment for the media.