Statement of Human Rights Center regarding Fact of Interference into Journalistic Reporting of Gela Mtivlishvili

Human Rights Center expresses concern regarding the fact of interference into journalistic reporting of Gela Mtivlishvili, editor of Kakheti Information Center at Chikaani #14 Precinct Election Commission in Kakheti. Gela Mtivlishvili was verbally abused, unlawfully prohibited to film the electoral process and expelled from the electoral district.

Unfortunately, Central Election Commission (CEC) did not react adequately to the above mentioned fact. Speaker of CEC, Eka Azarashvili reported wrong information particularly that Gela Mtivlishvili was filming Voters’ Lists and therefore he was asked to leave the district. The video disseminated by Kakheti Information Center makes clear that this fact never took place. The head of PEC (Precinct Election Commission) and other members of the commission illegally prohibited him to exercise his right granted by law – to take video on electoral district. Particularly concerning is the fact that the journalist accredited by CEC was not given opportunity to submit complaint regarding the incident.

After assessment of violations committed against the journalist, Human Rights Center considers that Gela Mtivlishvili was deprived opportunity to fulfill his journalistic duties at the PEC and observe the elections.

Human Rights Center addresses CEC to objectively study incident occurred at Chikaani #14 PEC and react adequately against the unlawful behavior of the head of the PEC and other members of the commission. Besides, Human Rights Center addressed Chief Office of Prosecutor to start investigation regarding illegal interference into journalistic reporting offence envisaged according to article 154 of the Criminal Code.