Georgia: Natia Karchiladze, Ani Giorgadze, and Others Assaulted by Police During Eviction Coverage
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom demands an urgent investigation into the incident
Location: Georgiia, Tbilisi
Date: January 23, 2024
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom condemns the violent actions taken by the police against journalists. The physical assault on Natia Karchiladze, Ani Giorgadze, Rati Ratiani, and Giorgi Arobelidze while covering a dramatic eviction of a family is a blatant disregard for their safety and an impediment to their duty of reporting the news. Such acts of violence are a direct threat to the principle of freedom of expression and the public's right to information. The illegal arrest and reported mistreatment of journalist Gela Mtivlishvili are equally disturbing. We stand in solidarity with the journalists and demand an immediate and thorough investigation. It is imperative that the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs and other relevant agencies take swift action to hold those responsible accountable. The failure to do so not only undermines the rule of law but also Georgia's aspirations towards European and Euro-Atlantic structures.
Several journalists, including Natia Karchiladze and Ani Giorgadze, were physically assaulted by police officers in Tbilisi while covering the eviction of war veteran and single mother Mariam Kakiashvili and her two children in Tbilisi, the country’s capital.
“Our journalists were thrown off cars, dragged onto the asphalt,” says Ani Giorgadze of local news agency Mautskebeli. “Patrol police ‘assisted’ the officers from the National Bureau of Enforcement in doing so.”
The journalists were physically attacked by police officers when they were reporting on a tense standoff involving the National Bureau of Enforcement, a local family, and a group of determined protesters. The incident, beginning on the morning of January 23, highlights a growing conflict over housing rights and law enforcement tactics in the country.
Reports of tear gas usage by authorities inside the building have surfaced, a claim vehemently denied by the National Bureau of Enforcement. Instead, the Bureau suggests that the occupants used pepper spray against law enforcement, injuring several officers.
This eviction drew sharp criticism from President Salome Zurabishvili, who condemned the action for its timing during harsh winter conditions and the alleged disrespect shown to the family's dignity. She stressed that such evictions are contrary to European values and standards.
Gela Mtivlishvili, the founder and editor-in-chief of Mtis Ambebi, was arrested at the scene. Mtivlishvili, who was later released on parole, stated that he was there to fulfill his professional duties and was met with aggression from the police. He claimed that no explanation was given for his detention and that he experienced physical violence, including attempts to choke him, while in custody.
Police arrested 20 Protestors trying to stop the evacuation. Two of them, Giorgi Khasaya and Kako Chikobava, have been charged with damaging the car of the National Bureau of Enforcement and are facing 3 to 6 years in prison.
The use of excessive force against the journalists and the lack of justification for Mtivlishvili’s detention illustrates a troubling pattern of intimidation and abuse of power by law enforcement against the press. The fact that Mtivlishvili felt compelled to state that he had "no illusions" about the investigation into his complaint is a damning indictment of the current state of press freedom in Georgia.
“Such acts of the police encourage violence against journalists in the country, where dozens of crimes committed against journalists are still not investigated”
The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics has vehemently criticized the actions. “Such acts of the police encourage violence against journalists in the country, where dozens of crimes committed against journalists are still not investigated,” the statement reads. The Charter emphasizes that unlawful interference in the professional activities of journalists is a criminal offense in Georgia.
These incidents raise serious concerns about press freedom in Georgia, a country aspiring to align itself with European and Euro-Atlantic structures. The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to properly investigate these violent acts and hold the offending policemen accountable. We further call upon the Georgian authorities to ensure the safety and protection of all journalists, regardless of gender, and to foster an environment where the press can operate freely and without fear. Upholding press freedom is not only a matter of protecting journalists but also a fundamental pillar of a democratic society.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help women career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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