Interference in Journalist’s Professional Activities in Kvishkheti

Gela Mtivlishvili
Information Center of Mtskheta-Mtianeti

Journalists of the TV-Company “Maestro” were not allowed to interview the family members of Solomon Kimeridze, who died in the office of Khashuri district police. The men, who patrolled in front of the house, insulted the Maestro’s journalists, tried to seize camera and compelled them to leave the area by force.

Journalists managed to video-record the incident in secret.

Journalist – The family members got in touch with us and said he was beaten and it might be reason of his death.

A young man – What are family members saying now?

Journalist – it is the problem that they have changed their position two days later…

The young man – The family members did not know the truth… now everything was cleared up and we have nothing to hide…

The elderly man – I am 75… I will break it… take it away

Cameraman – do not touch it

The man – I have warned you, take it away

Cameraman – Ok, I will

The man – I will destroy it; leave the place (cursing)… I wish I had gun; I would have shoot them… The same happened on the other day; they played on my nerves. Let the cars move.

The journalist – do not touch camera

The man – Take the camera away, do not shoot me

Journalist – do not touch it!

The man – look at him! Take the camera away! (He hit the camera and chased the journalists)’

Journalist – do not touch it

The man - Haven’t I told you take it away?!

Journalist – do not touch it

The elderly man did not leave journalists alone even after they sat in the car. The video shows that men stood on both sides of the car and compelled the journalists to leave the area. The journalists had locked the door to prevent the man from getting into the car. After leaving the village, people sitting in the white Opel (QCQ 572) chased and watched the journalists’ car.

Executive director of the Georgian Journalist Ethic Charter, lawyer Tamar Kordzaia thinks the video-material is enough evidence to launch criminal case on the interference in professional activities of journalists.

“The video shows that people hindered journalists’ professional activities. The journalist told them the family members had informed them about physical assault of the dead man. Strange people did not allow journalists to enter the house and meet family members. If the family does not want to give interview, they do not need to appoint watchmen outside the house. The main point is that those strangers abused the journalists. It is proved by video. One of them is shouting at journalists even when they are sitting in the car and orders them to leave the area. This is enough evidence for investigative bodies to launch a case on the interference in professional activities of journalists,” Tamar Kordzaia told the ICMM.

She added, the harassers might allege that journalists tried to enter private property. However, the owners did not prohibit the journalists to enter their property. “Completely strange people harassed journalists on the road and not within the private property. Their intention to hinder professional activities of journalists is proved by the fact that the harassers did not introduce themselves and tried their best to avoid camera,” Kordzaia said.

The founder of the TV-Company “Maestro” Mamuka Glonti spread information on the social network “Facebook” and said that the elderly man cursing journalists is Guram Sutiashvili.

“His son Koba Sutiashvili is a police officer. Although he is old man, the Maestro decided to sue him for the interference in professional activities of journalists. The video demonstrates how he treats journalists. If the prosecutor’s office prolongs the process, everybody must demand his punishment. He must be imprisonment in order to prevent harassment of other violators,” Mamuka Glonti wrote.

On February 27 Solomon Kimeridze died in the Khashuri district police station. Oppositionist MP Giorgi Tsagareishvili made statement about his death at the parliament when the President of Georgia made his annual speech to the parliament. “Soso Kimeridze from Kvishkheti village was ruthlessly tortured and killed by Khashuri district police. His body is covered with bruises as a result of beating and torture,” Tsagareishvili said.

Next day, the MIA spread information that Kimeridze fall over the handrail of the staircase in the police station. Representatives of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s public movement “Georgian Dream” sent expert to the village to expertise the body but strangers did not allow them into the house. Later, the photos of the dead Kimeridze were spread by media which shows several grave injuries on his body.

The Public Defender of Georgia also spread statement about the accident.

The prosecutor’s office has not responded to the accident yet.

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