"Imedi" journalists to address ECtHR on November 2007 events

Journalists of the Georgian TV Company "Imedi" are going to address the European Court on Human Rights (ECtHR). According to advocate Liya Mukhashavriya, who is representing journalists' interests, first they will address the State Office of Public Prosecutor of Georgia.

"At the General Prosecutor's Office we want to learn whether "Imedi" journalists are regarded to be victims in the criminal case on the events on November 7, 2007," she said. If the journalists are not victims, then a complaint will be filed to the ECtHR.

Let us remind you that in November 2007, a demonstration, during which citizens expressed their peaceful protest against country leaders, was dispersed by the police. Broadcasting of the "Imedi" was stopped. Special fighters made a pogrom in the building of the TV Company.

Advocate Liya Mukhashavriya, who is also chair of the organization "Priority of Human Rights", told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that she would now gather information on every suffered journalist. "Then, we'll send requests to the General Prosecutor's Office. There, they run an investigation of the criminal case on all events of November 7, 2007. We'll ask whether journalists had been recognized victims. Also, we'd like to know what the inspectors' conclusion was on the suffered employees of 'Imedi'," Ms Mukhashavriya said.

The advocate is sure that all these requests will remain unanswered. Journalists had already addressed the Prosecutor's Office, but nobody answered them.

"We'll go to court, as journalists could not perform their professional work. On November 7 many of them were beaten, their phones were taken away and their equipment was crushed. For several months they were not able to exercise their profession. Journalists suffered both physically and materially," believes Mukhashavriya. She has added that she will present the interests of at least 10 persons. The government of Georgia will be respondent in the case.