On May 2, 2012 part of journalists who came to Lado Meskhishvili Kutaisi State Theatre to cover the   President’s visit in Kutaisi, without any explanation were hindered to enter building by the President’s body guards. We consider, that is was illegal interference in journalists’ professional activities.

GYLA Media Legal Defense Center condemns the physical and verbal abuse inflicted upon Irakli Vachiberdize – a journalist of the newspaper “P.S”. As he reports, on May 3, 2012 he came to the closed meeting of government representatives and the activists of “the United National Movement”, where he was deprived of his camera and was abused verbally and physically.

Other journalists who came to Kutaisi Opera and Ballet Theatre were also restricted in their right to freedom of movement. As they reported, until the government representatives had left the city, they were detained by the security.

Iza Salakaia – a reporter of the tspress.ge talks on illegal operations implemented against journalists. As she states, while attempting to record the president’s visit at the opening of the hospital, some individuals in civil clothing confiscated her bag and a camera and took her away forcefully.  Furthermore, the journalist reports that they have not returned memory card and recorded materials so far.

Georgian Media Legal Defense Center also reacts on the facts of hindering professional activities of  journalists, in particular, cases of “Live press” and “Netgasseti” reporters who visited the prosecutor’s office for inspecting information.  As journalists reported, there were deprived of their cameras with a view to delete the recorded materials. As for the journalist of “Live press”, his memory card has not been returned yet.

GYLA appeals law enforcement bodies to examine in details and to investigate the facts of illegal interference in journalists professional activities and instances of violence inflicted thereon.

Media legal Defense Center is ready to protect interests of each journalists and to represent their rights in administrative agencies and the court.