23:10, 3 December 2009

In Georgia, journalists of "Batumelebi" complain of blackmail by power agents

Tbilisi, cinema "Amirani". Photo by the "Caucasian Knot"

The General Inspectorate of the Georgia's MIA has initiated a study of the accusations put forward by the weekly named "Batumelebi" (Batumi Residents) against law enforcers who tried to blackmail the paper journalists.

"On November 25, 2009, power agents tried to 'hook' through blackmailing Tedo Dzhorbenadze, head of the group of journalistic investigations of the newspaper, and, possibly, planned to interfere secretly with the editorial independence," runs the statement of the publisher of the paper Mziya Amaglobeli, sent by her on December 1 to international organizations.

"This time, to blackmail Dzhorbenadze, Georgian special agents used the same methods as the notorious Soviet KGB did: in view of the stigma, existing in Georgia on representatives of the non-traditional sexual orientation, Tedo was shown photos of naked males and told that one of them was he. Should he refuse to cooperate with them, they threatened to send photos and videos to his parents, co-workers and place them in the Internet," Ms Amaglobeli asserts.

"We were forced to address for help to you - the international community - since we have no guarantee of safety," runs the appeal of the weekly of November 30, quoted by the edition named "Civil Georgia". "The 'Batumelebi' and Georgian independent media as a whole have always highly appreciated the support of international media and human rights organizations. We hope that this time will not be late and will help us in defence of our personal and professional rights and freedoms."

The Association of Young Lawyers of Georgia, which renders legal aid to the newspaper in this issue, has stated that this incident is a "rough violation" of journalist's rights.

On December 1, an action in support of the "Batumelebi" was held in front of the Tbilisi cinema "Amirani".

The action initiated by journalists from various masses media and blog authors brought together about 100 persons. Apart from journalists, human rights activists and oppositionists also came.