12:33, 4 July 2020

Human rights defenders criticize Georgian authorities for inquiry into "Mtavari Arkhi"

The investigation conducted by the Georgian State Security Service (SSS) regarding the story of the "Mtavari Arkhi" TV Channel about the coronavirus situation in Marneuli violates the media freedom, Nino Lomdjariya, the Ombudsperson of Georgia, has stated. Initiating a case against the TV Channel for a journalistic plot is unacceptable, the Coalition "For Media Advocacy" believes.

The criminal case was initiated because of the story about how doctors and local authorities, in exchange for a monetary reward, offer Marneuli residents to name coronavirus as the cause of death of their relatives.

Tamta Muradashvili, an advocate for the "Mtavari Arkhi", believes that by initiating the criminal case, authorities are trying to put pressure on the TV Channel.

The inquiry initiated by the Georgian SSS against the "Mtavari Arkhi" is unacceptable, said Nino Lomdjariya, the Ombudsperson.

Human rights defenders have condemned the SSS for attempting to interfere in the journalists' activities. The Coalition "For Media Advocacy" has noted on the Facebook that disinformation should be counteracted through enlightenment.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 4, 2020 at 06:10 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Beslan Kmuzov

Source: CK correspondent