Imedi TV journalist summoned to Investigation Service after alleged obstruction of work by protesters at Tbilisi rally
Imedi TV said the journalist faced obstruction and verbal abuse from protesters outside the Government Administration building in the capital. Photo: Special Investigation Service
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Anuki Chkhikvadze, a reporter for the Georgian-based Imedi TV channel, was on Thursday summoned for an interview by the Georgian Special Investigation Service after protesters at the public rally against the bill on transparency of foreign influence on Wednesday allegedly obstructed her reporting at the scene.
Imedi TV said the journalist faced obstruction and verbal abuse from protesters outside the Government Administration building in the capital.
Giorgi Abazadze, another reporter of the channel, was earlier questioned by the Service about an attack on him by participants of the rally.
The channel on Thursday released a statement denouncing the “escalating violence against journalists” and “aggressive behaviour of radical groups”.
Mark Clayton, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Georgia, on Thursday commented on developments as part of the protest by saying “any case of violence in politics” was “unacceptable” regardless of its targets.
Paweł Herczyński, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, on Wednesday also said violence was “unacceptable” in his comments on the developments.
Domestic opposition parties, non-governmental organisations, media outlets and citizens on Wednesday gathered outside the Parliament building in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi to protest the controversial domestic bill on transparency of foreign influence, with the legislative body approving the first reading of the draft law earlier today.
The Georgian Parliament on Wednesday approved the first reading of the bill on the transparency of foreign influence that has sparked public protests and criticism by some of the country’s foreign partners.
Georgia cherishes and safeguards relations with partner countries. By taking into consideration the main priority of our foreign policy - EU integration - cooperation with high-ranking officials of the United States of America, European Union and EU Member States, including the ambassadors and exchange of ideas is a profound priority for us. We value every supportive step and statement of current ambassadors that are directed at solidifying the international positions of Georgia. Thus, every grounded advice and recommendation will further be accepted with special attention and care.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said the controversial Georgian bill on transparency of foreign influence, resubmitted by the parliamentary majority last week, provided for only “minimum standard” of transparency.