The prominent non-government organisation “Media Advocacy Coalition” has condemned the illegal and violent detention of TV Pirveli cameraman, Lasha Jioshvili.
The NGO also demanded his immediate release while terming this incident as another blow to Georgia’s democratic values and media freedom.
After the February 18 rally, police arrested TV Pirveli cameraman, Lasha Jioshvili in the vicinity of the Radisson Hotel in Tbilisi. Jioshvili is being held under Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which refers to disobeying a lawful request of a police officer.
Of particular concern is the fact that Jioshvili was detained by unidentified individuals who only introduced themselves as law enforcement officers after the insistent demands of eyewitnesses. During the arrest, the television cameraman stated that the arresters were trying to put something in his pocket.
Law enforcement officers did not provide information on the whereabouts of Lasha Jioshvili in a timely manner, including the head of the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
According to the lawyer, the masked individuals did not informs Lasha Jioshvili of his rights and he did not know the reason for his detention before being taken to the department. There were threats against the cameraman. According to the lawyer, disproportionate force was used, which is why he has a bruise on his left hand.
The above-mentioned case is another dangerous precedent of violence by the police. The line between law enforcement officers and unidentified violent individuals has been erased and this is against the background that in recent months, participants in the protests and media representatives, including journalists from TV Pirveli, have repeatedly become targets of attacks by the police and masked individuals.
Since the continuous protests that began in November 2024, more than a hundred cases of attacks, violence, threats, or illegal interference with media representatives have been recorded. Despite the available evidence, not a single perpetrator has been identified and punished in accordance with the law.
This indicates a violent campaign organized by the “Georgian Dream” against its own citizens and independent media. The Media Advocacy Coalition demands the immediate release of Lasha Jioshvili and all illegally detained prisoners of conscience.
