19:00, 13 February 2010

In Georgia, journalists support Vakhtang Komakhidze's request for political asylum

Today, members of the Georgian organization "Journalists for Freedom of Speech" have handed over a petition to the Embassy of Switzerland in Tbilisi with a request to the government of this country to help Vakhtang Komakhidze, a Georgian journalist to receive political asylum.

Mr Komakhidze addressed to the Swiss authorities with his request on February 10 complaining of pressure on him after he had filmed, in Tskhinvali in December 2009, important materials about the 2008 August War. According to the journalist, he received threats that should his film be put on air, his family will be executed.

The petition in support of Komakhidze's request was signed by dozens of journalists, leaders of political parties and heads of NGOs, as the "Interfax" reports.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland has confirmed the receipt of Mr Komakhidze's asylum request. The answer will be given in a couple of months, as reported by "Nasha Gazeta".

Meanwhile, the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia has reported that Komakhidze did not address to them in the context of threats to him or his family.