Authorities Granted Entry to Mukhrovani to Selected Journalists

Upon the completion of the May 5 mutiny Maestro and Kavkasia TV camera crews were denied entry into Mukhrovani tank battalion territory; Rustavi 2, Imedi TV and First Channel were granted exclusive access.

Reporting to Media.ge Nana Lezhava, author of Report of the Week (aired through Kavkasia TV) said together with the camera crew she had been trying, throughout a day, to gain entry to Mukhrovani battalion to observe the developments, but thy were denied entry by the patrol.

“The patrol told us the road was dug and there was no drive through. We got off the car and made our way on foot. Following a kilometer of walking 7-8 patrol crews overtook and restricted us to carry on,” said Nana Lezhava and added that she tried to figure out the reason for the restriction but no clear response was given. Afterwards Nana Lezhava and the journalists accompanying her were forced to leave the territory. “Few hours later,” Nana Lezhava continued, “President Saakashvili visiting the tank battalion was followed by Rustavi 2, Imedi TV and First Channel camera crews being granted free access into the area.”

According to Nana Lezhava no other media representatives, but the aforementioned three, were granted entry even though their number boosted during the day. President was accompanied by the abovementioned TV companies, Lezhava said, since they wouldn’t be posing awkward questions and would disseminate the shots favorable to the authorities. Kavkasia and Maestro TVs, Lezhava pointed out, were denied entry into the military unit since they were well aware that these televisions would feature actual situation. We wanted to figure out what actually happened in the battalion; whether the mutiny really came about since lots of questions were raised due to this story. If the situation had been really tense, I am sure President would have refrained from visiting mutinous militaries,” Nana Lezhava stressed.

According to Maestro TV correspondent Teona Laliashvili in addition to being denied entry the journalists having enjoyed a right to accompany President let them copy the footage featuring President only, the rest was denied.

“It is rather interesting that President’s escort heading to the battalion was followed by two Imedi TV camera crews, three from Rustavi 2, and one from First Channel. Only we were restricted to enter,” Maestro TV reporter said.

On May 5 the members, including the commander and officers of the tank battalion based in the Mukhrovani village 25 km away from Tbilisi staged a mutiny. Later on MIA disseminated video footage featuring the testimony by Mamuka Gorgiashvili, the unit commander saying that the militaries were to be applied to incite a wave of protest, in return he was to be paid for the rendered assistance.

Source: Media.ge