The special investigative service arrested Mamuka Shakarashvili, an employee of the cleaning service, on the basis of the court's ruling, on the facts of unlawful interference in journalists’ professional activities and violence.
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“The conducted investigation revealed that on July 6, 2023, Sulkhan Chkadua, a cameraman for TV Formula, was performing his professional duties in Sagarejo. While working on the report, the defendant M. Sh. physically assaulted the journalist in order to interfere with his professional activities. Also, he did not allow Rustavi 2 journalist Natia Tsitelauri and Mtavari channel journalist Ia Guliashvili to carry out their duties and record the story,” In its statement, the investigative service hides the fact that Mamuka Shakarashvili is an employee of the budgetary organization established by the Sagarejo Municipality City Hall.
Shakarashvili is being investigated under Articles 126 and 154, Parts 1 of the Criminal Code, which provides for the lightest punishment - a fine or community service for a period of one hundred and twenty to one hundred and eighty hours or house arrest for a period of six months to one year or imprisonment for a period of up to a year, with or without restrictions on the rights related to weapons.
Georgian News asked the investigative service why the investigation is not being conducted under the 2nd parts of Articles 126 and 154 of the Criminal Code, because on July 6, in Sagarejo, more than two journalists were attacked by groups while performing their professional duties, for which the punishment is more severe. The agency did not give an explanation.
On July 6, in Sagarejo, where the chairman of the opposition party National Movement, Levan Khabeishvili, had planned a meeting with pensioners, members of the council, activists, and city hall employees from Georgian Dream gathered in an organized manner. They physically assaulted not only the members of the National Movement but also the journalists who came to cover the meeting. They threw stones and damaged the cameras. Only the journalist from Imedi TV was spared from violence and insults. Police arrived at the scene only after the physical altercation was over.
Crimes Against Critical Media Increased 4 Times – Violence Encouraged by Georgian Dream
