23:00, 2 September 2011

In Georgia, journalist detained for making photos of presidential escort

President Saakashvili's security service has detained Natiya Danelishvili, a journalist from the Information Centre of Kakheti for filming the presidential escort.

According to the journalist, the incident occurred in Kvareli, where she was performing her professional duties. Presidential securities demanded from her to delete the photos, otherwise threatening to break the camera.

The journalist appealed to nearby policemen for help, but they did nothing. As stated by Irma Nadirashvili, the spokesperson of the presidential administration, the journalist filmed the presidential escort, for which she had no right; that is why she had problems with securities. After 40 minutes after detention, Natiya Danelishvili was set free, the "Georgia Online" reports.

Let us note here that after the recent resonant "photographers' case" in Georgia, the relationships of the government and mass media are under special scrutiny.