Online publications and the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics issued a joint statement on the authorities’ violence against the media and non-governmental organizations.
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“The Georgian Dream party has not yet adopted the Russian Law, but they have already started using repressive methods against free media and public organizations aimed at violence against independent journalists and activists.
The government is trying to intimidate and eliminate citizens and organizations that expose its large-scale corruption, nepotism, lack of transparency, increasing Russian influence, failure to investigate systemic crimes, etc.
The current situation, which includes threats and public calls to violence from the government, hinders us from journalistic activities.
We hold the authorities fully responsible for criminal actions against journalists and their family members,” reads the statement.
Signatories: Netgazeti / Batumelebi; Studio Monitori; Publika; Mtis Ambebi / Georgian News; The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics / Media Checker; Samkhretis Karibche (Southern Gate in Georgian); OC Media; Chai-Khana; Tabula; Jam-news; On.ge; kutaisipost.ge; qartli.ge; Union of Investigative Journalists iFact; Media Aprili; South Gate; project 64; Community Radio Marneuli, Indigo.
On April 3, 2024, Georgian Dream reintroduced the Russian Law on so-called Foreign Agents in parliament, which had been withdrawn a year ago following widespread protests, with a promise never to adopt it again. The Russian Law requires independent media and non-governmental organizations that operate with grant support from international funds and cannot be controlled by the government or related groups to register as foreign agents. Mass protests against the Russian Law have been ongoing in Tbilisi since April 15. Georgian Dream has already approved the bill in two readings, with the final hearing scheduled for the week of May 13.
On May 3, in Tbilisi, youths participating in a protest against the Russian Law were attacked and physically assaulted. The Ministry of Internal Affairs did not arrest anyone in connection with the incident. The media identified some of the attackers as coaches financed by Tbilisi City Hall from the budget.
On May 5, in Lanchkhuti, teacher Lado Abkhazava and his son were attacked. The prosecutor's office charged one person with physical violence, although Abkhazava stated that two people participated in the attack. The court released the attacker, an employee of the Lanchkhuti emergency medical service, on bail.
On May 7, Giorgi Klidiashvili, the director of the non-governmental organization Institute for the Development of Information Freedom, and the film crew of Formula were attacked after leaving the Swedish embassy in Tbilisi.
On May 8, Dimitri Chikovani, member of the National Movement, was also attacked in Tbilisi. He has multiple injuries to his face. The attack was preceded by a statement made by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on April 23 that "people financed by Davit Kezerashvili and Dima Chikovani for 1000 GEL are standing at the rallies” against the Russian Law. Dimitri Chikovani is the brother of the wife of the TV company Formula’s founder and the former Georgian Defense Minister, Davit Kezerashvili.
On May 8, unknown individuals attacked Gia Japaridze, a lecturer at the University of Georgia and a researcher at the Chavchavadze Center. He is the brother of Zurab Japaridze, the leader of the opposition party Girchi - More Freedom, and is actively involved in actions against the Russian law. "They started beating me directly. They were holding some sticks. Why am I against the Russian Law - that's what they said," said Gia Japaridze. He has injuries on his head and face, including a skull-brain injury.
On May 8, biker Lasha Gvinianidze, one of the organizers of protests against the Russian Law, was attacked. "They called my 72-year-old father and threatened to 'stop your son.' We thought it was just a threat, but they also attacked us at home. I don't know how they knew where I was. I received a call from a suspicious number, but there was no answer. Maybe that's how they found out our location. About 10 minutes later, three people wearing masks arrived. My friend and I were late. Then they greeted us and approached us from behind," said Lasha Gvinianidze.
