Russian MFA: case against journalist Besik Pipiya in Georgia is political

Initiation in Georgia of a criminal case against Russian citizen Besik Pipiya, head of the representative office of the RIA "Novosti" in Tbilisi, is politically motivated. This was stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Russia.

On September 11, the Georgian MIA started investigating a criminal case against Besik Pipiya on suspicion of use of forged documents. According to Mr Pipiya, he was accused of using a false driving licence. The journalist signed recognizance not to leave. Part 1 of Article 362 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, under which he is accused, assumes a fine or imprisonment for up to three years.

"It's enough to get acquainted with the details of this so-called 'case' to see its obvious far-fetched nature. The point is that Georgian law enforcers had 'suddenly' detected errors in documenting Pipiya's driving license, issued to him 18 years ago by the city interior division of Zugdidi. The absurdity of these charges leaves no doubts that the case was politically motivated," runs the statement of Russian MFA, placed in the Ministry's website.

"The politically motivated pressure on Pipiya has the aim to intimidate not only mass media, but everybody in Georgia who finds the course of the present regime towards persistent destruction of the traditional Russian-Georgian good neighbourhood fatal in all its aspects," the "Gazeta.Ru" quotes the statement of the Russian MFA.

The Ministry notes that this incident is another link in the chain of recent facts of pressure on Russian journalists.

The journalist himself believes that the mistake in his driving license is just a misunderstanding; he has reminded in his application addressed to the authorities of Georgia that by his work he tries to prevent "burning down the bridges" between Russia and Georgia. In his letter addressed to the Minister of Justice of Georgia Mr Pipiya explained that he did not use this driving licence.

He has also has stated that Georgian authorities are dissatisfied with the manner the RIA "Novosti" representative office covers the events in Georgia.

The "Echo Moskvy" Radio reports that the Committee to Protect Journalists, the "Reporters without Borders" and other Russian and foreign public organizations have been informed about the pressure on the Russian journalist.

So far, there is no Tbilisi's reaction to Moscow's statement.