Public Defender Appeals to Chief Prosecutor To Investigate Assault on Journalists

Georgian Public Defender Giorgi Tugushi, sent case materials on the assault on journalists Nana Pazhava and Ilia Chachibaia to the Chief Prosecutor of Georgia Murtaz Zodelava the materials for further response.

According to the Public Defender's office Chachibaia and Pazhava have already appealed to the Chief Prosecutor's Office of Georgia and consequently, the Public Defender requested the Chief Prosecutor to inform him about all activities carried out in regard with the investigation.

The journalists demand investigation of the incident which occurred on December 31, 2009 in Zugdidi. Chachibaia and Pazhava appealed to the Public Defender on January 5 and wrote explanation letters.

According to Chachibaia he tried to cover President Saakashvili's visit in the ice rank of Zugdidi. Security guard ordered him to stay 100 meters away from the president like other people. Chachibaia protested their order and requested to stay on the spot together with other journalists. According to the clarification provided by the journalist he was attacked by around 50 policemen who physically assaulted him. He was pushed forward.

According to the clarification of the Public Defender's Office after Saakashvili left the ice-rank, the journalist made several photo- shots by his camera. Local policemen once again insulted and assaulted him and made him leave the area.

Nana Pazhava reported that she had learned about the incident at about 1:00 pm on December 31, 2009 and arrived at Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region main police department. Officers of special services of the State Security and local policemen were near the building. The helicopter was waiting for the President of Georgia to leave Zugdidi in the area. Having noticed Alexander Kobalia, Zugdidi district governor, Nana Pazhava approached him to ask some comments about the incident. According to the journalist she was immediately approached by 30 security guards who ordered her to stop recording; Kobalia asked the guard to seize video-camera from the journalist. The law enforcement officers blamed the journalist she was recording state secret and seized the camera from her; the camera was handed to Megis Kardava, deputy head of regional police department. Despite many requests the camera was not returned to Nana Pazhava.

According to the journalist, on the same day at about 3:00 pm Nana Pazhava met Zugdidi district governor at the district administration building and requested her camera back. But the governor insulted her and left the area. Few minutes later, a law enforcement officer got in touch with the journalist and returned the seized camera back, though it was damaged.

According to the statement of Nana Pazhava, she and Ilia Chachibaia were detained under administrative law. Member of the opposition party Kakha Mikaia was detained together with them too. Initially they were placed at the pre-detention setting but at about 11:00 pm they were taken to Zugdidi district court in order to impose administrative fee on them.

In accordance to the explanation letter, Pazhava and Mikaia found their cars (parked near the district administration building) damaged. According to the applicant, sugar was put in the fuel tanks of their cars. Representative of the Public Defender in Zugdidi confirmed the damage of the cars.

Source: Media.ge