Kakhetian Police Put Bullet in Journalist’s Bag

No longer is anyone surprised by pressure on independent journalists in Kakheti, but the incident that occurred on Saturday, astonished everyone. Policemen put a ‘Makarovi’ live bullet in the bag of regional newspaper ‘Imedi’ correspondent, Marina Gogoladze, while she was performing her professional duty. Later the Deputy Police Chief demanded the journalist’s bag be checked.

“I was in Lagodekhi District Court to prepare an article covering the process. The judge Nana Chalatashvili was discussing an interesting criminal case. Both Lagodekhi and Kvareli (districts in Kakheti) policemen were mobilized at the court. I tried to get a comment from Archil Shaburishvili, head of the Lagodekhi Police Department, concerning a statement made by one of the respondents. The Head of the Police Department refused to comment, though I was surprised to hear a polite response from him, as he forbid me from even entering the police office before.

Soon, Gia Lomidze, Deputy Head of the Lagodekhi Police Department told me he was going to check my bag in the presence of the other policemen, without stating the reason. I refused and then for fun I asked him to produce a court sanction. Lomidze smiled back and repeated the demand several more times, to which I strictly responded. Later on, I had to enter the police building, to get a comment from the representative of the Prosecutors Office. At that moment I was accompanied by my colleague, Khatuna Gogashvili. Gia Lomidze demanded to check my bag once more in the police building, and smiled doubtfully. As soon as we left the building, I opened my bag. I took out my things and saw a gun bullet in it”, declares Marina Gogoladze.  
 
The journalist is sure that the police put the bullet in the bag to scare her. “I think I was threatened; if I do not act in their favour, soon even drugs will be found in my bag”, says Marina.

Khatuna Gogashvili told us that “it was not a joke, like Gia Lomadze points out in their private conversations, he is deputy head of police department and his behavior, is not only unserious, but considerably grave ”, believes Khatuna Gogiashvili.

Gia Lomadze denies putting a bullet in Marina Gogoladze’s bag and also speaking with her. “What kind of bullet? I have no idea about the matter, or why Marina mentioned my name, maybe she was ordered to do so”, says the Deputy Head of the Police Department.

Temur Anjaparidze, Head of Main Kakheti Regional Department of the Interior Ministry, considers this an unimportant case. “I do not believe it but let journalist Gogoladze appeal to us in any case, or let her appeal to the General Inspection”, says Anjaparidze.

Marina considers Lomidze’s accusations unreasonable and gave us more details. After having informed the newspaper’s editorial office about the incident, she was asked by the order of the Deputy Head of the Police Department to keep silent and not appeal - otherwise she would have even more problems.

The journalist applied to the Lagodekhi Regional Police Department and produced the bullet found in her bag; though as she declares, she does not expect a fair investigation. She asks the Public Defender and Human Rights organizations for help.

Marina Gogoladze, was previously orally and physically assaulted by Mikheil Kakalashvili, brother of MP Guram Kakalashvili. The Lagodekhi police however did not launch a case regarding that incident because they did “not find any elements of a crime in the case”.

Gela Mtivlishvili, Kakheti